The Royal Navy has reached a new operational milestone with the successful interception and destruction of a supersonic missile by the Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon (D35) during a test conducted in Scottish waters. The event, part of the multinational exercise Formidable Shield 2025, marked the first time a UK warship has managed to neutralize such a target—characterized by its high speed and evasive capabilities.
The test took place on May 15 as part of one of the most important and largest military exercises in Europe so far this year, which will continue until the 23rd of this month. The activities focus on integrating various types of missile and defense systems, involving the participation of ten NATO countries with their respective ships, aircraft, and ground forces. In the case of the Royal Navy, it tested the ability of HMS Dragon to counter threats targeting the vessel or to provide protection and interception capabilities to other units within NATO Naval Groups.
On this occasion, HMS Dragon launched a modified missile from its Sea Viper system at a supersonic target simulating a high-speed threat. According to a statement from the Royal Navy, in just two and a half seconds, the missile accelerated to reach and exceed Mach 4, successfully intercepting the target, making this an unprecedented action for the UK. It is worth noting that the missile launched from HMS Dragon was a special telemetry version designed to record measurements and data for future operations.
“This not only proves that Dragon’s world-leading air defense capability is working as it should after a long maintenance period, but also demonstrates our ability to integrate and operate alongside NATO allies and partners,” said Commander Iain Giffin, Commanding Officer of HMS Dragon.
Beyond the exercise, the Sea Viper missile test on a Type 45 destroyer is no coincidence. As part of an ongoing upgrade program for these vessels, the Royal Navy has been working on modernizing the Sea Viper anti-ballistic missile systems onboard the class. In fact, in January of last year, the company MBDA was awarded a contract to carry out this project aimed at countering various types of ballistic missiles, under the “Sea Viper Evolution” program.
The Sea Viper is a long-range anti-air missile system developed by the United Kingdom, France, and Italy, and is a key component of the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers (also known as the “Daring” class). Almost three years ago, the UK Ministry of Defence announced the modernization of these systems through the “Sea Viper Evolution” program, under which MBDA was selected to carry out the work through two simultaneous contracts.
The first involves the modernization of the Sea Viper air defense system by upgrading its missiles to better counter airborne threats, with a particular focus on enhancing interception capabilities against ballistic missiles. As part of this, the ASTER 30 missiles will be upgraded to the Block 1 version, along with similar upgrades to the SAMPSON AESA multifunction radar and its management systems. The second contract extends support and maintenance services for the Sea Viper missile systems over the next five years.
Although there has been little public information on the progress of this latter effort, MBDA stated in January 2024 that the second phase of the Sea Viper Evolution program focuses on evaluating the future feasibility of integrating an even more advanced version of the ASTER 30 missile into the Type 45 class. Specifically, this would be the Aster 30 Block 1NT, which would also include further upgrades and improvements to the class’s radars and associated systems.
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