Overview
- Defence procurement minister Luke Pollard told Parliament the Stratus LO is planned for integration on Type 26 frigates to meet the Royal Navy’s Future Offensive Surface Weapon requirement.
- The FoSUW requirement is defined as a long‑range anti‑ship strike weapon with land‑attack capability that is compatible with Mk 41 Vertical Launch System cells.
- Only the subsonic, low‑observable Stratus LO is slated for the Type 26 at this stage, with the high‑speed Stratus RS still maturing and not confirmed for Royal Navy deployment.
- The FC/ASW program was rebranded Stratus in 2025 and expanded from a U.K.–France effort to include Italy, with the Type 26’s 24‑cell Mk 41 VLS designated as the launch interface.
- Reporting cites an estimated 1,000 km range for Stratus LO and roughly 500 km at about Mach 3.5 for Stratus RS, with initial naval capability expected in the early 2030s and an intent to supersede interim Naval Strike Missile fits.