UK jobs and air defences boost with purchase of new missile launchers

Air August 28, 2025

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed a £118 million contract with MBDA for six additional Land Ceptor launchers, expanding the Army’s Sky Sabre air defence capability and supporting up to 140 jobs across the UK.

The three-year programme will double the number of deployable Sky Sabre systems in service, enhancing the UK’s ability to defend against advanced airborne threats including cruise missiles, aircraft and drones. The system, built around radar, command and control, and the Land Ceptor launcher, is capable of guiding up to 24 missiles simultaneously with precision sufficient to intercept small, high-speed targets.

The contract builds on MBDA’s established partnership with the MoD and will sustain employment at the company’s Bolton site, where more than 1,300 staff are already employed and a major expansion programme is underway. The site forms a central hub within MBDA’s UK footprint, which supports over 5,000 roles nationally and relies on a wide supply chain of specialist manufacturers and service providers.

For industry, the order provides continuity of work across a network of subcontractors delivering precision engineering, electronics, composite structures and software integration. It also strengthens MBDA’s ability to maintain skills and invest further in its production capacity as demand for advanced missile systems increases both in the UK and internationally.

Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard said the investment delivers on the Strategic Defence Review’s commitment to strengthen national air defence while also contributing to the government’s Plan for Change by supporting UK industry. “Doubling our deployable Sky Sabre capability will strengthen the UK’s air defences, protect forces abroad, and deter our adversaries,” he said.

The system has recently been proven in live-fire trials at the QinetiQ range in the Outer Hebrides during NATO’s Exercise Formidable Shield, marking its first operational firing in the UK. Sky Sabre has also been deployed to Poland under Operation Stifftail, demonstrating interoperability with NATO allies on the eastern flank.

MBDA UK Managing Director Chris Allam described the contract as further evidence of the company’s role in delivering decisive capability to the British Army, while sustaining growth at its Bolton site. “Manufacturing more launchers will provide jobs and sustain many vital partners in our supply chain, while equipping the Army with increased scale in air defence,” he said.

The acquisition comes alongside the government’s commitment of up to £1 billion in new funding for homeland air and missile defence, as part of wider plans to expand defence industrial capacity. With MOD figures showing more than 151,000 jobs now directly supported by defence procurement, the Sky Sabre contract highlights the sector’s role in delivering both strategic capability and economic growth.

Image: DE&S

If you would like to join our community and read more articles like this then please click here