UK to upgrade air defense systems under new contract

Under the £118 million ($159 million) deal, the British government will acquire six new Land Ceptor systems over the next three years from the European multinational defense company MBDA.

The systems will feature so-called anti-air modular missiles, capable of engaging targets the size of a tennis ball moving at twice the speed of sound, as well as launchers and support vehicles.

New missiles for the British Army will be integrated into the Sky Sabre air defense system. Deployed between 2022 and 2024 on NATO’s eastern flank in southeastern Poland, the system supports the delivery of military equipment to Ukraine and ensures the safe transit of Ukrainian recruits for training.

The Sky Sabre system is designed to counter a range of aerial threats, including fighter jets, drones, and cruise missiles, and can be deployed anywhere in the world. According to the UK Ministry of Defence, it is capable of simultaneously guiding 24 intercept missiles at individual targets.

“Doubling our deployable Sky Sabre capability will strengthen the UK’s air defenses, protect UK forces abroad, and deter our adversaries,” said UK Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard.

Bloomberg notes that the new contract comes amid meetings of European and US defense leaders discussing potential security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a peace agreement with Russia.

Air defense is considered a key component of the Coalition of the Willing - a group of countries led by the UK and France, ready to deploy troops and military systems beyond the frontline in Ukraine.

For context, the UK is preparing for a potential conflict with Russia and is reviewing outdated defense plans.

In particular, London has decided to supply Ukraine with 350 ASRAAM surface-to-air missiles, funded through frozen Russian assets.

Additionally, British forces will participate in NATO’s nuclear mission using state-of-the-art F-35A fighter jets.