The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that the first DragonFire laser weapon will be installed on a Royal Navy vessel in 2027, while leaving open when and whether the system will be expanded to additional ships.
The position was set out in a written answer on 4 December to Conservative MP James Cartlidge, the company stated.
Cartlidge had asked whether departmental policy was to fit DragonFire on four vessels in 2027. Defence Minister Luke Pollard replied that “the Ministry of Defence plans to install the first DragonFire system on a Royal Navy vessel in 2027” and that further installations “will be in accordance with the Defence Investment Plan.” The answer confirms the initial fit but does not commit the department to a wider rollout.
The UK Defence Journal has previously reported that DragonFire destroyed high speed drones during recent trials at the MOD Hebrides range, with the department stating that the system achieved above the horizon tracking, targeting and engagement against targets moving at up to 650 kilometres per hour.
The government recently awarded a 316 million pound contract to MBDA UK to deliver the first ship fitted systems from 2027, with the initial integration planned for a Type 45 destroyer. In the trial announcement, Pollard said “this high power laser will see our Royal Navy at the leading edge of innovation in NATO.” Industry figures also highlighted the programme’s momentum. Chris Allam of MBDA UK said the latest contract “reaffirms the UK’s intent to be at the forefront of laser directed energy weapons,” while Leonardo and QinetiQ pointed to the accelerating test cycle and the system’s precision.
DragonFire is expected to be the first high power laser weapon fielded by a European nation.
Surely the appropriate number of ships to arm with Dragonfire is every ship that can take it.
– Both carriers
– All frigates and destroyers
– Any and all amphibious assault ships/landing ships/MRSS
It’s an incredibly expensive system, and will be demanding on power requirements
Not remotely as expensive as replacing a lost ship or worse it’s crew. Cost is a poor excuse to skimp on defensive weaponry.
But it is a lot more expensive than some systems that are (at least for now) more capable, like the Bofors 40mk4.
No Dragonfire weapon cost has been published. Your comment is pure speculation.
Perhaps we could put some bright lights on our P8’s – light up a few Russian spy ships, or Chinese for that matter – Australia could try it out from their P8’s which got the same treatment.
I keep getting different information, is it 316 million pound all type 45s or a type 45?
Please ignore.
The figure includes research and development, how much a weaponized system would cost has not been published.
Easy answer, anything that can meet the weight and power requirements and potentially sails into harms way should be fitted with it!
I wonder what the cost is of one Dragonfire v a 40mm Bofors including maintenance and per shot costs. And given that, what would a serving sailor honestly say they would prefer to have on the ship if it was a choice.
I guess its going to be Glasgow or a T45 coming to the end of PIP
Their position seems reasonable. First off, install one system on a working warship, then sail it out into the north atlantic in winter and find out if it can still do what it can do from a static platform in the UK. Then decide whether to spend millions on more of them.
That is indeed the plan: install a few systems for evaluation before rolling out more.