The Royal Navy is continuing to assess the potential compatibility of the Aster missile with the Mk41 vertical launch system as part of wider efforts to expand its missile flexibility.
In response to a written parliamentary question from Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty on progress integrating the Aster 30 missile into the Mk41 system, the Ministry of Defence referred to an earlier answer confirming that assessment work is ongoing rather than providing a specific programme update.
Defence Minister Luke Pollard said: “The Royal Navy has announced its intention to become a Mk41 Navy, to ensure that future combatants have a versatile missile launcher capable of deploying both offensive and defensive missiles.”
The Mk41 vertical launch system is a widely used modular launcher capable of firing a range of missile types, offering flexibility across air defence, strike and anti-submarine roles. The Royal Navy has already begun the process of introducing Mk41 cells on new platforms, including the Type 26 frigates.
Pollard indicated that the assessment of Aster is part of a broader review of potential weapons and effectors under development concepts for the fleet. He said the Navy is “currently assessing a range of effector options, including missiles, guns, lasers and drones as it develops the Hybrid Navy concept.”
The Aster family of missiles currently forms the backbone of the Royal Navy’s principal area air defence capability, deployed via the Sylver vertical launch system on Type 45 destroyers. However, no timeline has been provided on this effort.
Fine, as long as it doesn’t water down anti-ship and cruise.
It’s good to have options. If it’s done now, the T31 and T26 will be more capable, BUT, it can influence design choices on the T83 and those Drone ships packing more Ait Defence or Landstrike missiles.
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Bit of a strange article, the parliamentary answer just pointed to a previous question that had already been covered in UKDJ.
It one of those gap fillers. If you run out of ideas, recycle.
Oh great – were ‘ assessing’ something else . That’s the problem with UK Defence, too much assessing and far too little doing let alone ordering IMHO. 🇬🇧👎
Surprise surprise were ‘ assessing’ something else . That’s the problem with UK Defence, too much assessing and far too little doing let alone ordering IMHO. 🇬🇧👎
Not sure if I am missing something here, but if Aster forms the “backbone” of the Royal Navy’s AD capability shouldn’t we have done the assessment before integrating into the T26?
MBDA assessed the mk41 and its ability to fit Aster more than 10 years ago.
The announcement is just more nonsense.
Unless there is a radar upgrade to T26 and it’s existing set and T31 and the Thales radar they couldn’t use Aster to full effect? So is does this give a possibility of a retro fit on T45 ( which would open up other options) or is it something they would plan for unmanned vessels to complement T45 or FADS,, so the uncrewed vessels could forward deploy Aster and or cruise missiles?
There is a significant upgrade to Artisan being offered by BAE.
If the T26 does get the radar upgrade and can begin to carry area defence weapons such as Aster 30 NT and CAMM MR (twin packed) and CAMM quad packed then it may be time to change its designation to a destroyer while changing the designation of the type 83 to a cruiser.
A 8,000 tonne warship able to carry over 100 missiles with an anti ballistic missile capability and aerial target engagement capabilities over 100 miles should not be a frigate no matter how good it is at ASW.
Same goes for T83, at over 10,000 tonnes it is really a cruiser not a destroyer.