UK MoD’s confirmation of MBDA missile for Type 26 points to more European collaboration
The Stratus LO (right) is designed to effectively counter land and maritime threats. (Image: MBDA)
The Type 26 will also be fitted with the Sea Ceptor vertically launched air defence system that can fire CAMM missiles and a 24-cell Mk 41 vertical launch system that can fire the Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles, anti-submarine rockets and long-range anti-ship missiles.
The Stratus LO (Low Observable) subsonic missile developed by MBDA as part of its Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon (FC/ASW) programme – now renamed Stratus – will be integrated onto the UK Royal Navy’s (RN) Type 26 frigate, Minister of Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard confirmed this week.
This will meet the RN’s requirement for a future offensive surface weapon (FOSuW) to provide long-range anti-ship strike weapons with land attack capabilities that are compatible with the Mk 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS), the defence minister noted in a written response to a question from MP Ben Obese-Jecty.
MBDA’s Stratus programme comprises
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