The Sea Viper Evolution programme for the Type 45 Destroyer fleet is expected to deliver an initial ballistic missile defence capability in the early 2030s, according to a new parliamentary answer.
In a written response to Conservative MP James Cartlidge, Defence Minister Luke Pollard said the programme remains split into two separate capability tracks, each at a different stage of development.
Pollard said that Capability One, described as the Royal Navy’s entry-level ballistic missile defence capability, is expected to reach Full Operating Capability in late 2032. “Both Sea Viper Evolution Programmes continue to make progress,” he said. “Capability One, the Royal Navy’s entry level Ballistic Missile Defence Capability, is expected to provide Full Operating Capability in late 2032.”
The second strand, Capability Two, which would provide theatre-level ballistic missile defence, remains earlier in development.
According to the minister, this element of the programme is still in the assessment phase and is intended to inform future decisions on capability design and investment. “Capability Two, providing theatre level Ballistic Missile Defence, remains in the Assessment phase to inform future capability and investment choices,” Pollard said.
He added that this work is being shaped by wider changes to the Royal Navy’s force structure. “This is particularly important where the Royal Navy’s pivot to a Hybrid Fleet will enable new and novel approaches to ballistic missile defence.”
Pollard cautioned that continued progress across both strands of Sea Viper Evolution remains dependent on the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.
Sea Viper is the principal air defence system fitted to the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers and has been operational for more than a decade. The system comprises the Sampson multifunction radar, command and control architecture, combat management system and Aster missile family.
The upgrade programme was formally confirmed last year, when the Ministry of Defence announced a £405 million package of enhancements following the combat deployment of HMS Diamond in the Red Sea. During that deployment, the destroyer conducted multiple live firings of Sea Viper missiles while defending international shipping against aerial threats, marking the system’s first operational use in combat conditions.
The initial phase of the upgrade focuses on improving the system’s ability to counter more advanced threats, including anti-ship ballistic missiles. This includes upgrades to the Aster 30 missile, along with improvements to the Sampson radar, combat management system and command architecture across the Type 45 fleet. A later phase of Sea Viper Evolution is expected to examine the potential introduction of the Aster 30 Block 1NT missile, which is being developed collaboratively by the UK, France and Italy. The missile features a new seeker designed to enhance ballistic missile interception capability.
The Ministry of Defence has previously said the upgrade programme will support around 350 UK jobs, particularly in high-skill roles at sites in Stevenage, Cowes, Bristol and Bolton, alongside wider industrial activity involving MBDA and BAE Systems. Sea Viper currently provides area air defence for Royal Navy task groups, with the ability to track hundreds of targets simultaneously and engage threats at ranges of tens of miles, depending on threat type and profile.
Early 2030s, that’ll be 2040 at the earliest then…
No? theres just a number of upgrades to do.
I would have thought theatre level ABM defense would be better off land based??
It’s needed at sea to combat the modern Chinese anti-ship ballistic missiles.
It also offers a cheaper way of doing a home BMD network. Pay for a fewer sensors by relying on ship-based radar on the Type 83, then distribute barges, USVs, frigates around the northern coast as a distributed network of sensors.
Less capable, of course. But cheaper, because you can press the established carrier escort networks into service in home waters.
Ship based missile defence is also much easier to protect since it’s constantly moving. From what I can see in Ukraine they’re constantly moving their land based systems around which causes a lot of down time and risk.
The UK is quite fortunate that it can make effective use of a ship based missile defence around the island.
So they are going to work up to an IRBM level defence.. interesting.
I think the 2032 is the full 1NT and then there is clearly something else in the works beyond that.
As they are the only platform we currently have it is unsurprising that they have a considerable upgrade pathway.
The issue is actually having ships to use as opposed to on the wall or in dry dock being upgraded.
First time I have ever seen anything saying the UK is involved in developing Aster 30 block 1 NT. Up until now NT has only been quoted as Italian and French.
I suspect its considering the integration of the A30B1NT into the PAAMS software, which is jointly developed and maintained by all three nations. Aster development and production is almost exclusively the territory of France and Italy.
Not quite sure how, though. Aster-30 B1NT offers low-level MRBM capability at best, and it’s the best BMD system that the Type 45 can take without replacing the forward CAMM system, or the main A50 system.
The only way of doing this before the Type 83 is by putting the interceptors on frigates or USVs, and developing a CEC to allow guidance from the SAMPSON.
The Type 45 will get the full capability it should have had at the start, only when it is about to go out of service.
Let’s be real – the Type 45s will be in service well into the 2040s.
Only the americans had that capability in the 2010s
No! No! Too late, we need it within two years if not sooner. No excuses, all stops out and give this programme national urgency. Too many vital defence programmes are being progressed at a snail’s pace, and we have Russia and Iran poised to throw missiles at British interests. Sadly, there are probably too many dozy personnel in critical positions in both the Government and the MOD playing politics with the UK’s safety.
Do the French & Italians have Aster ABM capable in service yet? Thought they were/had developed it but we’d not. Always so reassuring to know our enemies will alway refrain from attacking us until we’re eventually ready!
Yes. They have the Block 1 in service, designed to handle ballistic missiles (BMs) with ranges up to about 600km. This was first introduced on their SAMP/T GBAD. This is also in use with Qatar, IIRC, in a naval context.
They don’t have the later Block 1NT, which is able to intercept BMs with ranges up to 1500km.