Royal Navy to equip vessels for $170.5 million with decoy launcher Ancilia
Royal Navy frigates Type 26 and 31, as well as Type 45 destroyers, will be fitted with the trainable decoy launcher Ancilia. (Photo: SEA)
The protection system would be fitted to a range of Royal Navy surface ships, including Type 26 and 31 frigates, and Type 45 destroyers.
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a £135 million (US$170.5 million) contract to purchase the trainable decoy launcher Ancilia for the Royal Navy. The purchase will attempt to increase surface ship defensive capabilities and protect Royal Navy vessels against modern anti-ship threats, such as those recently coming from the Houthis in the Red Sea, as stated by the MoD.
Ancilia, first officially launched in September, is a trainable decoy launcher that, according to its manufacturers, allows quick reactions to incoming threats without needing to manoeuvre the vessel itself. The launcher can also configure the firing of multiple decoy types such as chaff, flares and ‘corner reflector’ rounds in varying positions.
Two subsidiaries of the UK-based technology company Cohort plc will manufacture the flexible countermeasure system in partnership. SEA has supplied the Royal Navy with torpedo launchers and countermeasure capabilities in the past, while Chess Dynamics has designed and developed the trainable base for Ancilia.
The contract was selected by the MoD to provide Electronic Warfare Countermeasures Increment 1a (EWCM 1a) as part of the Maritime Electronic Warfare Programme (MEWP). The 20-year programme has been aimed at updating surface ship electronic surveillance, countermeasures, and electronic warfare command and control capabilities.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Navy weighs “Super Intelligence” role in designing a quieter SSN(X) attack submarine]()
US Navy weighs “Super Intelligence” role in designing a quieter SSN(X) attack submarine
NAVSEA is exploring AI-assisted design for a larger, stealthier submarine with increased weapons capacity and uncrewed-system integration, with lead-boat procurement envisaged from 2040.
-
![Euronaval 2026: ‘I want to sell 31 Type 31s by 2031’ - CGO maps Babcock’s global push]()
Euronaval 2026: ‘I want to sell 31 Type 31s by 2031’ - CGO maps Babcock’s global push
Chief growth officer Sir Nick Hine tells Shephard how Babcock is lining up New Zealand, Chile, Denmark and the US for its Arrowhead 140 frigate, speaks on the hybrid navy offer and talks AUKUS.
-
![Euronaval 2026: Baltic breakthrough powers Saildrone’s next European expansion]()
Euronaval 2026: Baltic breakthrough powers Saildrone’s next European expansion
Denmark’s doubled deployment, Mediterranean smuggling routes and Norwegian composite hulls show where uncrewed surveillance demand is heading, while British funding remains unclear.
