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UK's new Sea Ceptor missile system enters into service

Royal Navy’s new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth arrives in Portsmouth.
The missile system will offer a protective shield for the HMS Queen Elizabeth (pictured) and HMS Prince of Wales. Photograph: Peter Nicholls/Reuters

A new missile system to provide protection for the UK’s two aircraft carriers has entered into service, defence secretary Gavin Williamson is due to announce on Thursday.

The Sea Ceptors, developed at a cost of around £850m and deployed aboard Type 23-frigates, will offer a protective shield against missile attacks for the two carriers. HMS Queen Elizabeth is undergoing sea trials and HMS Prince of Wales is scheduled to be handed over to the Royal Navy in 2019.

Russia and other potential rivals are developing missiles that are becoming significantly faster, reducing the time defenders have to react. But the Ministry of Defence insists that innovations such as the Sea Ceptor, which has a longer range than the Sea Wolf system it is replacing, can provide the necessary cover.

According to a preview of Williamson’s speech, to be delivered to a conference on sea warfare in London, he will say the Sea Ceptor will provide protection against everything from supersonic missiles to fighter jets.

After the first test firings last year, the Sea Ceptor is to be deployed on HMS Argyll, which is heading for the Asia Pacific region.