Deliveries of new Aster Block 1 missiles will begin later this year, and considerable progress has been made over the past twelve months in upgrading the existing stock to the same standard, though the number converted so far is being withheld on security grounds, according to an answer given in Parliament.
Ben Obese-Jecty, the Conservative member for Huntingdon, asked what progress has been made on upgrading all Royal Navy Aster missiles to Block 1 standard through Sea Viper Evolution Capability 1.
Luke Pollard, Minister of State for Defence, said: “The upgrading of missiles to Aster Block 1 standard is being undertaken through the Aster Mid-Life Refresh programme. The exact number of missiles upgraded to date cannot be disclosed owing to security concerns, however considerable progress has been made over the last 12 months. Additional deliveries of new Aster Block 1 missiles will commence later this year.”
Aster is the missile family behind Sea Viper, the air defence system carried by the six Type 45 destroyers, and the Block 1 standard brings an improved capability against ballistic missiles as well as aircraft and cruise missiles. Sea Viper Evolution is the wider upgrade programme announced after HMS Diamond and HMS Richmond spent months intercepting Houthi drones and missiles in the Red Sea, where the Royal Navy fired Aster in anger for the first time.
Stock depth has been the question hanging over that capability since those engagements, because a destroyer carries forty-eight cells and an intercept uses one missile or two. Replacing what was expended and raising the standard of what remains are the two halves of the same problem, and the department has consistently declined to put numbers on either.
Aster is produced by MBDA, with final assembly in France and significant British content including the Sampson radar and the command and control system from BAE Systems. The Defence Investment Plan commits £6 billion to munitions this Parliament, including £1.5 billion for an always on production pipeline.
“security grounds” again. Amazing how many times this excuse has been used over the last few years.
Excuse for what? I would not expect to be told these numbers.