Royal Navy warships to be protected against drones and missiles with decoy launchers

A new contract worth £135m will equip the Royal Navy with new decoy launchers to counter missile and drone threats.

The Ministry of Defence said this would ensure the "long-term availability and resilience of warships".    

It said Trainable Decoy Launcher technology would increase the protection of Royal Navy ships and sailors, further strengthening the Navy's ability to defend Britain’s interests across the world, including the Red Sea.

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This contract comes as new missile and drone technology produces greater threats to the UK's fleet.

The latest decoy launchers will help counter this by delivering the capability to defend warships without the need to alter course.

This innovative new system uses high-end technology and will be manufactured in the Systems Engineering & Assessment Ltd (SEA) site in North Devon and Chess's facilities in Sussex.

The MOD said the contract would sustain up to 150 jobs to help grow the economy.

Vital Protection

Defence Procurement Minister James Cartlidge said: "In a time of global instability, it is vital we protect the Royal Navy in the best possible way to ensure national security. 

"With recent attacks towards HMS Diamond and HMS Richmond in the Red Sea, it's crucial our sailors have the latest technology to best defend themselves and the fleet.  

"The new Trainable Decoy Launcher technology is an improvement on speed and agility and highlights more excellent work from UK companies in backing UK defence."

Trainable Decoy Launcher

The contract for the launchers will see Type 26 and Type 31 frigates and Type 45 destroyers fitted with a new trainable countermeasure launcher system.  

Trainable Decoy Launchers use an improved decoy launcher technology that enable a decoy to be rapidly deployed against modern missile threats, without the need to manoeuvre the vessel itself.

The launcher fires a range of countermeasures, which includes chaff, flares and corner reflector rounds to target hostile missiles.  

The contract, procured by Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), was awarded to SEA and will see a fully UK-designed and built solution. SEA has partnered with Chess Dynamics and Frazer-Nash Consultancy (FNC) to deliver the product.