MBDA was awarded a $125.5 million 10-year contract by the United Kingdom (UK) Ministry of Defence (MOD) for the demonstration and manufacture of the Sea Ceptor air defense system for the U.K. Royal Navy’s new Type 26 frigate, the company said Friday.
The Sea Ceptor is expected to provide the principal air defense for the Type 26 (T26) Global Combat Ship (GCS) and nearby ships against advanced airborne threats including sea-skimming anti-ship missiles, fast jets, helicopters, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
MBDA said the contract is additional evidence of the MoD’s confidence in the capability and maturity of the Sea Ceptor system and its munition, the Common Anti-air Modular Missile (CAMM).
“This investment in the Sea Ceptor system is going to give the Royal Navy and partner navies outstanding air defence cover. Thanks to the Portfolio Management Agreement with the U.K. MoD, MBDA is providing a common missile system for both naval and land use thereby significantly reducing the cost that would have been involved in developing separate systems,” James Allibone, MBDA’s U.K. sales and business development director, said in a statement.
This U.K. contract raises the Sea Ceptor’s platform types up to five globally, MBDA said. The company now also sees further potential for the air defense system and CAMM missile family with other navies.
This demonstration and manufacture contract entails support to the T26 design as well as the manufacture of the electronics equipment required for the eight ships in the T26 class.