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.
You may also like
More from Defence Notes
-
![From systems integrator to multi-domain solutions provider (video)]()
From systems integrator to multi-domain solutions provider (video)
Philipp von Brandenstein, Head of Corporate Communications at Rheinmetall, explains how Eurosatory 2026 marked a new stage in the company's evolution.
-
![US speeds up B61-13 nuclear bomb production as programme moves further ahead of schedule]()
US speeds up B61-13 nuclear bomb production as programme moves further ahead of schedule
The US government plans to accelerate production even further after achieving key B61-13 milestones months ahead of schedule, as the programme advances amid growing US-China strategic competition.
-
![Canada’s C$2 billion ACSV deal reinforces new defence industrial strategy as allies align]()
Canada’s C$2 billion ACSV deal reinforces new defence industrial strategy as allies align
General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada is the country’s first strategic partner under the Defence Industrial Strategy’s Strategic Partnership Framework, an effort to provide companies with confidence to invest and boost the defence labour force.
-
![New UK armed forces minister frames High North defence as vital to “homeland security”]()
New UK armed forces minister frames High North defence as vital to “homeland security”
The UK’s Minister for the Armed Forces Louise Sandher-Jones made her first appearance in the role before the House of Commons Defence Committee this week to highlight efforts to improve capability in the High North.
-
![Canada seeks to strengthen industrial ties with the US on classified programmes]()
Canada seeks to strengthen industrial ties with the US on classified programmes
Ottawa explores expanding defence-industrial cooperation with Washington into sensitive programmes, an approach that could reshape NORAD modernisation, strengthen North American supply chains and create new opportunities for defence contractors.
