Overview
- MBDA will produce the MRAD Land Ceptor launchers in Bolton under a three-year contract expected to support up to 140 jobs across the UK.
- Sky Sabre integrates radar, command-and-control and Land Ceptor launchers to counter aircraft, drones and cruise missiles, guiding up to 24 missiles at once with high precision.
- The Army conducted the system’s first UK live firing during Exercise Formidable Shield in the Outer Hebrides, with 16th Regiment Royal Artillery operating the equipment.
- The Ministry of Defence presents the purchase as part of the Strategic Defence Review alongside up to £1 billion for strengthening homeland air and missile defence.
- Analysts note the upgrade targets short- and medium‑range threats, with ballistic‑missile defence largely resting on Royal Navy Type 45 destroyers and concerns persisting about saturation attacks.