UK to receive first of three MMCM systems in 2022
This month marks the 10th anniversary of the Lancaster House treaties on defence, security and nuclear cooperation between the UK and France.
The UK has doubled down on its pursuit of unmanned mine countermeasure (MCM) capabilities with a £184 million ($245 million) investment into the joint Maritime Mine Counter Measure (MMCM) programme with France.
In a release on 26 November, the UK government stated that following successful Phase 3 demonstrations and trials in October this year, the contract will produce three MCM capability sets.
Each set will comprise a USV host platform, the SAMDIS towed array sonar, and an ROV for use as a mine neutralisation system. When combined, these three elements will be known as the Primary System, and is designed to potentially replace conventional crewed mine hunting vessels, such as the current Sandown- and Hunt-class MCMVs.
Industry partners Thales, ECA Group, L3Harris and Saab will now work towards delivering the first sets in late 2022, which will then commence Stage 4 operational evaluation prior to entering service with the Royal Navy.
It is possible that the recently announced Type 32 frigate will have an MCM role of its own, potentially acting as a mothership for the MMCM.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Steel cutting begins on Malaysian corvettes]()
Steel cutting begins on Malaysian corvettes
STM has begun building three corvettes for the Royal Malaysian Navy which are expected to be completed by mid-2028 at a programme cost of US$544 million.
-
![USS Zumwalt undocked after supersonic weapons upgrade]()
USS Zumwalt undocked after supersonic weapons upgrade
The vessel will be the first in the US fleet to carry the Conventional Prompt Strike capability.
-
![Admiral Franchetti acknowledges importance of XLUUVs on Orca visit]()
Admiral Franchetti acknowledges importance of XLUUVs on Orca visit
The US chief of naval operations made the comments on a visit to Boeing’s Orca XLUUV.
-
![USS Arkansas Virginia-class submarine commissioned]()
USS Arkansas Virginia-class submarine commissioned
The last of the Virginia-class Block IV submarines will be commissioned soon.
-
![Exercise Freezing Winds brings navies together to ease Finland into NATO]()
Exercise Freezing Winds brings navies together to ease Finland into NATO
The nine-day exercise off the Finnish coast was intended to boost interoperability in challenging weather conditions.
