London, August 22, 2025 (Defence Desk) — The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced a £118 million contract with MBDA UK to procure six additional Land Ceptor missile launchers, effectively doubling the British Army’s deployable Sky Sabre air defence systems. The move is part of a broader effort to reinforce national security and modernize the UK’s ground-based air defence capabilities.
The three-year contract includes not only the missile launchers but also a suite of support equipment: 12 fire unit support vehicles for ammunition, eight baggage vehicles, and eight threat evaluation and weapon assignment systems, along with spares to sustain the Sky Sabre system.
Sky Sabre, also known as Enhanced Modular Air Defence Solutions (EMADS), integrates three core components:
- Rafael SAMOC (Surface-to-Air Missile Operation Centre) for command and control
- Saab Giraffe Agile Multi Beam (GAMB) radar with a 120 km range
- MBDA Land Ceptor launcher firing Common Anti-Air Modular Missiles (CAMM)
Each launcher can simultaneously guide 24 CAMMs to intercept separate targets. The standard CAMM has a 28 km range, while the extended-range CAMM-ER reaches up to 45 km, both equipped with 10 kg high-explosive fragmentation warheads and laser proximity fuzes.
The Sky Sabre system has already replaced the aging Rapier platform and has been deployed in Poland under Operation Stifftail, reinforcing NATO’s eastern flank. It was also successfully tested during Exercise Formidable Shield 25 in the Outer Hebrides, marking its first live firing in the UK.
Defence Minister Luke Pollard stated, “Doubling our deployable Sky Sabre capability will bolster the UK’s air defences, safeguard our forces abroad, and deter our adversaries.” The investment will support up to 140 jobs across the UK, particularly at MBDA’s facility in Bolton, Lancashire, which has recently expanded its workforce.
The procurement aligns with the UK’s Strategic Defence Review and its NATO-first approach, reinforcing the country’s commitment to collective defence and technological superiority.