The Ministry of Defence has awarded a £316 million contract to MBDA UK to deliver the DragonFire Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) to the Royal Navy, marking a significant step in moving this advanced capability from the research phase to operational service.
The first system is scheduled to be fitted to a Type 45 destroyer by 2027, a timeline that has been accelerated by five years, signalling the MOD’s commitment to rapid procurement of cutting-edge technology.
The contract award follows a series of highly successful trials at the MOD’s Hebrides range, where the DragonFire system achieved a UK first by successfully tracking, targeting, and shooting down high-speed drones. The trials demonstrated the system’s precision, which is stated to be capable of hitting a target the size of a £1 coin from a kilometre away. This milestone provides the necessary assurance for the programme to transition into a formal manufacturing and integration phase, creating a clear pipeline of work for the industrial partners involved.
This programme is a key deliverable from the Strategic Defence Review’s commitment to bring Directed Energy Weapons into service. The £316 million investment is expected to create or sustain approximately 590 jobs across the UK, with a significant number of highly skilled roles in Scotland, the South West of England, and the East of England. For the defence supply chain, this represents a major opportunity within a new and growing capability domain.
MBDA UK is leading the industrial consortium, working in close partnership with QinetiQ and Leonardo to develop and deliver the system. The project highlights a collaborative model between the MOD and industry aimed at accelerating the fielding of disruptive technologies. With an operational cost estimated at around £10 per shot, DragonFire offers a highly cost-effective alternative to traditional missile interceptors for dealing with threats such as drones. The programme, which is backed by a wider £1 billion investment in Directed Energy Weapons this Parliament, solidifies the UK’s position as a leading European nation in the development and deployment of LDEW systems.
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Vicky has worked in media for over 25 years and has a wealth of experience in editing and creating copy for a variety of sectors.
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