UK Deploys 'World-Leading' Ship Defense System
The key to the Royal Navy’s Sea Ceptor includes a new missile made by MBDA.
A Sea Ceptor missile is captured just after vertical launch from a Royal Navy frigate, before its rocket motor has fired. (Photo: MBDA)
A Sea Ceptor missile is captured just after vertical launch from a Royal Navy frigate, before its rocket motor has fired. (Photo: MBDA)

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced that the “world-leading” Sea Ceptor missile system that will protect the Royal Navy’s new QEII-class aircraft carriers has officially entered service. It will be carried initially by Navy Type 23 frigates that will escort the carriers and later by the Royal Navy's forthcoming eight Type 26 combat warships. Three Type 23s have been fitted and have carried out successful firings. The MoD said that it has cost “around £850 million” (more than $1.1 billion) to develop and manufacture the system.