The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is on the verge of securing a major contract for additional Aster 30 air defence missiles, reinforcing the Royal Navy’s fleet against modern aerial threats.
Finalising the Deal
Maria Eagle, Minister of State for Defence, confirmed today that negotiations for the purchase have successfully concluded. The contract is set to be placed through the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR), a multinational defence procurement agency responsible for coordinating major European military projects.
“Negotiations to purchase Aster 30 have concluded, and a contract placement, via the multinational procurement agency OCCAR, is expected imminently,” Eagle announced.
Strengthening the Fleet
The Aster 30 missile is a critical component of the Sea Viper missile system, providing the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers with cutting-edge air defence capabilities. These missiles are specifically designed to intercept and neutralise threats from fast jets, drones, and incoming enemy missiles, ensuring the UK’s warships remain protected in high-threat environments.
Meanwhile, the shorter-range Aster 15 missiles are being phased out as part of an upgrade programme to the Sea Viper CAMM (Common Anti-Air Modular Missile) system.
Ongoing UK-European Defence Collaboration
Despite a lack of recent meetings between the UK Defence Secretary and his French counterpart, the purchase of Aster 30 missiles underscores the UK’s ongoing defence cooperation with European partners.
With geopolitical tensions rising, ensuring the Royal Navy is equipped with state-of-the-art defensive capabilities remains a top priority for British defence strategy.
