The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) announced on Friday 22 August a contract to purchase six new LAND CEPTOR launchers, bolstering national security and defence.
Ahead of the announcement, MBDA’s manufacturing site in UK, in Bolton, had the pleasure of hosting a visit from the UK MOD’s Minister for Armed Forces, Luke Pollard MP.
Being given a tour of the site, the Minister had the opportunity to see how the LAND CEPTOR missiles, systems and launchers are all built, and meet the people working at the site that help deliver these cutting edge capabilities.
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LAND CEPTOR is a rapidly deployable point and area defence system to protect mobile and static high value assets using the COMMON ANTI-AIR MODULAR MISSILE (CAMM). It is capable of operating as a standalone unit or integrated within a battlespace network. The design of the system includes interoperability to support an integrated, layered air defence structure.
Through this approach, this latest contract is strengthening Britain’s air defences, helping double the number of deployable air defence systems the UK uses. With LAND CEPTOR providing the stopping power, the UK is has a state-of-the-art defence system capable of intercepting cruise missiles, aircraft and drones.
Operators of the system have described its accuracy as being “able to hit a tennis-ball sized object travelling twice the speed of sound”. The system can also simultaneously control the flight of 24 missiles, guiding them each to intercept separate targets at once.
Chris Allam, Managing Director MBDA UK, welcomed the new contract, stating it built on MBDA’s “strategic partnership with the UK Ministry of Defence”, adding, “LAND CEPTOR is an excellent example of the innovative capability that this partnership has produced and delivered to the British Army. It will give the Army the decisive military capability and increased scale needed in Air Defence."
Investment in people and infrastructure
Visiting MBDA’s site and meeting the people working there, the Minister also heard how the contract contributes to supporting up to 140 jobs across the MBDA’s UK sites. In addition, how MBDA is investing £200 million into the site, nearly doubling the manufacturing footprint to help deliver a ramp-up in production. This expansion will also create 700 new jobs at the site by the end of the decade.
“Building these weapon systems has been a key part of our growth at our Bolton site and this contract helps us to sustain this expansion going forward.”, Chris Allam added, “manufacturing more launchers will provide more jobs and sustain many vital partners in our supply chain”.
Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard MP, said, “We are delivering on the [UK’s] Strategic Defence Review by equipping our armed forces with state-of-the art equipment to help keep us safe. Doubling our deployable capability will strengthen the UK’s air defences, protect UK forces abroad, and deter our adversaries. We are implementing the government’s Plan for Change with defence as an engine to drive growth, boosting our industrial capacity and national prosperity.”
Defence Equipment & Support, the procurement arm of the Ministry of Defence, has awarded this contract, which will deliver six brand new MRAD (medium range air defence) LAND CEPTOR missile-launching systems for use by the British Army at home and anywhere in the world.
Success on NATO exercise
The contract announcement also follows a recent successful first live firing of the system in the UK, demonstrating its NATO interoperability as part of Exercise Formidable Shield.
Lieutenant Colonel James Boutle, Commanding Officer 16th Regiment Royal Artillery, said, “For 16th Regiment Royal Artillery, operating Sky Sabre is both a privilege and a responsibility – ensuring we are trained and ready to strengthen the UK’s contribution to NATO when called upon. As part of this, we work hand-in-hand with industry partners such as MBDA here in the UK to continuously optimise the system to ensure it remains on the cutting edge – a collaboration that guarantees we stay ahead of adversary technology."
Significant recruitment drive
There is an urgent need for increased defence capabilities and MBDA has taken decisive action to ramp up production. By the end of 2025, the Group will have doubled missile production compared to 2023. Key initiatives driving this acceleration includes continuing to invest and a significant recruitment drive.
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