UK MoD to Upgrade Defence Missile System Used in Red Sea

Due to hostile attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea by the Houthis, the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence said it will be spending 405 million pounds ($514 million) to upgrade their missile system that is being used by the Royal Navy to shoot down hostile drones. 

In a statement made by the MoD, the missile system, named the Sea Viper Air Defence system, will be upgraded to feature a new warhead and software enabling it to counter any ballistic missile threats. 

The MoD said that the contracts have been awarded to the British division of MBDA, a joint venture owned by Airbus AIR.PA, Leonardo LDOF.MI, and BAE Systems BAES.L.

Defence minister Grant Shapps said in the statement: “As the situation in the Middle East worsens, it is vital that we adapt to keep the UK, our allies and partners safe.” 

“Sea Viper has been at the forefront of this, being the Navy’s weapon of choice in the first shooting down of an aerial threat in more than 30 years.” 

Already this month, U.S. and British naval forces have shot drones and missiles fired by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia in the Red Sea, as the conflict between Israel and Hamas spreads out into the further regions.