The British Army has successfully completed the first test-firings of its newest and advanced Land Ceptor air defence missile close to the Baltic Sea.
Conducted on a Swedish test-fire range, the firing trials involved the launch of the missile from a vehicle in order to attack and destroy an aerial target, thereby demonstrating the accuracy and power of the new weapon.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Equipped with the common anti-air modular missile (CAMM), a launcher vehicle and two fire unit support vehicles, the Land Ceptor weapon is highly mobile, capable of being rapidly deployed across challenging terrain, and can be brought into action in less than 20 minutes.
Created by missile manufacturer MBDA under a £250m contract between the company and Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), the missile will equip the UK Army’s 16th Regiment, Royal Artillery.
Land Ceptor has been designed to protect UK soldiers from aerial threats while on operations, such as hostile combat aircraft and air-launched munitions.
UK Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “In the face of intensifying threats, it is vital that our Armed Forces have the capabilities to keep Britain safe.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalData“Land Ceptor will be a formidable battlefield barrier, protecting our troops from strikes and enemy aircraft while on operations.”
Manufacture of Land Ceptor for the army and Sea Ceptor for the UK Royal Navy has led to 760 MBDA jobs in the country.
Earlier this month, the £850m Sea Ceptor missile system officially entered service with the Royal Navy to protect its newest aircraft carriers.
