UK MoD announces MBDA Brimstone missile contract

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract with MBDA that will see the Royal Air Force (RAF) supplied with Brimstone missiles for the next five years. The £35 million contract was announced on 18 November by the Minister for Defence, Equipment, Support and Technology, Philip Dunne, at the Dubai Air Show.

Brimstone is carried by RAF Tornado GR4 aircraft, and was used extensively on operations in Afghanistan. The air-to-ground weapons provide aircrew the ability to engage moving and static targets day and night. The weapon, with small warhead and precision guidance capability, ‘significantly’ reduces the risk of collateral damage.

Dunne said: ‘Brimstone missiles provide unrivaled precision capability and are key to protecting our forces in Afghanistan. Designed and manufactured in the UK, these weapons have continued to prove their effectiveness on operations. This contract will ensure our Brimstone missiles are fully primed for use with the RAF for years to come.’

Air Cdre Mike Quigley, head of engineering in the Weapons Operating Centre in the MoD’s Defence, Equipment and Support Organisation, added: ‘Brimstone plays a vital part in our modern and sophisticated arsenal of precision strike weapons and securing this contract means a consistent delivery of weapons to the RAF as and when they are needed.’

The MoD also plans to integrate Brimstone onto the RAF’s Typhoon aircraft and the future Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter jets.