Britain looking to buy hundreds of ‘loitering munitions’

Britain is seeking a ‘Medium Range Precision Strike’ system with a minimum range of 60 km, the ability to loiter in the air for at least 40 minutes and be delivered by 2027 all for a potential value of £120m.

For the avoidance of doubt, readers should be aware that the image used above is but one possible solution, and is merely used for illustrative purposes.

Today, the Ministry of Defence issued a Prior Information Notice (PIN) regarding the potential procurement of the Medium Range Precision Strike (MRPS) system, which is aimed at providing beyond-visual line of sight precision strike capability for deployed forces.

Published on 21 October 2024, the notice outlines Defence Equipment and Support’s (DE&S) plans to explore the feasibility of acquiring such a system, with the procurement process being managed by DE&S, an arm’s length body of the MOD based in Bristol.

According to the PIN, the MRPS system must meet a range of strict operational requirements, ensuring that it can perform effectively across different environments and scenarios.

a. The system must be portable by user and transportable by land, air and sea platforms with the ability to safely launch from both land and maritime platforms.

b. The system must be accurate at a minimum range of sixty-kilometres (60 km).

c. The system must be able to operate in a range of environmental and climatic conditions providing all-weather day night capability and be able to survive in a high-threat environment.

d. The system must be able to transmit real-time full-motion video at a clear standard to perform identification of the target.

e. The munition must be able to loiter for a minimum of forty minutes with a minimum average speed of one-hundred kilometres per hour (100kph).

f. The munition must be able to engage within the full range of the likely peer target sets including static and moving armour, personnel and fast inshore attack craft.

g. The munition must have a battery or warhead that is removable to enable safe charging of the system in a civilian depot.

h. The user must be able to operate the system with a capability that can, in response to real time target information, break off an engagement after initiation and then re-engage the same or different target based on user-programmed input.

i. The user must be able to utilise the system across a contested, degraded fully, GPS denied operating environment.

The MOD is planning to procure a minimum of 200 munitions, with the first deliveries anticipated by 2027. However, the PIN notes that “the information contained in this PIN may be subject to change,” and that the MOD will not be liable for any losses incurred from reliance on this early-stage information.

The MOD is also keen to engage with the market and plans to hold a Market Interest Day in late November or December 2024, to discuss the MRPS requirements in greater detail. The PIN states that DE&S will “discuss the requirement in further detail and the potential procurement routes” during the event. Organisations capable of offering the full solution, as well as those who can provide part of it, are encouraged to participate. DE&S invites organisations to “explicitly state which part of the solution your organisation can offer,” reinforcing the MOD’s openness to a range of capabilities and innovations.

It is important to note that the PIN is “not a means to seek formal expression of interest” and does not represent a commitment to initiate the formal procurement process. Interested parties are advised to register their interest through the MOD’s official procurement portal.

What is a loitering munition anyway?

A loitering munition, also known as a “kamikaze drone” or “suicide drone,” is a type of weapon system designed to hover in the air over a target area for an extended period before striking. It combines features of both drones and missiles, allowing it to search for, identify, and engage targets with precision. Once a target is identified, the munition can dive into it, detonating on impact.

Loitering munitions are equipped with sensors and communication systems to allow operators to monitor and control them in real-time. They can be deployed from land, air, or sea platforms and are particularly useful for missions requiring quick responses to emerging threats. The ability to remain airborne for a set period allows operators to wait for the optimal moment to strike, improving target accuracy and reducing collateral damage.

These systems are often used in situations where traditional missile or artillery strikes would be less effective. The loitering capability ensures that the munition can be recalled or re-targeted if the original target is no longer viable, providing more flexibility than conventional munitions. Loitering munitions are typically smaller than traditional missiles, making them easier to transport and deploy in various environments.

Loitering munitions are increasingly being integrated into modern forces due to their cost-effectiveness and precision. They are particularly effective against time-sensitive or mobile targets, such as vehicles or personnel, and are used in a range of conflict scenarios, from asymmetrical warfare to conventional military engagements.