The UK is significantly expanding its air defense capabilities by doubling its deployable Sky Sabre systems, which are now the Army's most advanced ground-based defense systems, capable of intercepting a variety of aerial threats including drones, aircraft, and cruise missiles.

This expansion supports the UK’s Strategic Defence Review, enhances industrial capacity, and aims to improve the UK's ability to protect forces abroad and contribute to NATO's collective defense.

Recent successful testing and NATO exercises, such as Exercise Formidable Shield, have demonstrated Sky Sabre's operational readiness and interoperability, with the system now guiding up to 24 missiles simultaneously.

The UK’s upgrade includes integrating new missile systems into Sky Sabre, which can control 24 missiles at once and fire 99kg CAMM missiles with a range of approximately 25 miles, significantly boosting missile interception capabilities.

The UK government has awarded a contract to MBDA to supply six new LAND CEPTOR missile launchers, part of a broader plan to modernize the armed forces and strengthen air defense, with a £118 million investment over three years.

This contract supports the UK’s goal to double the number of Sky Sabre systems and sustain manufacturing jobs, including a £200 million upgrade at MBDA’s Bolton facility, creating 700 new jobs by 2030.

The new missile systems will be integrated into Sky Sabre, which is designed to intercept fast-moving objects traveling at twice the speed of sound, including cruise missiles, aircraft, and drones.

MBDA is undertaking a major recruitment drive to double missile production by the end of 2025, reinforcing the UK’s industrial and defense capabilities.

The UK is also supplying Ukraine with 350 ASRAAM surface-to-air missiles, funded by frozen Russian assets, and is participating in NATO’s nuclear mission using F-35A fighter jets.

While Sky Sabre replaced the older Rapier system in 2021, there are ongoing discussions about acquiring additional missile defense systems, such as an Iron Dome-style system, to further enhance missile protection.

Overall, these developments reflect the UK’s strategic focus on modernizing its armed forces with cutting-edge technology, supporting economic growth, and maintaining a technological edge in air defense.