On October 2, the Royal Navy announced that its new Sea Venom anti-ship missiles, which will equip its Wildcat attack helicopters, are now ready for combat use, having achieved Initial Operating Capability (IOC), enabling their deployment on front-line missions. Each of these helicopters will reportedly be capable of carrying up to four of these missiles, giving them the ability to engage multiple targets simultaneously or launch a full salvo at a larger target.
According to the Royal Navy’s official statement, the Sea Venom’s design has been specifically conceived to deliver significant destructive power, making it effective against warships the size of corvettes and patrol vessels, as well as coastal installations. It will operate alongside the already familiar Martlet missiles, which are also part of the Wildcat’s arsenal but are intended for engaging smaller vessels and swarms. Both missile systems are part of the force’s Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapon (FASGW) program.
The Royal Navy also revealed that the missiles reached IOC within the framework of Operation Highmast, the largest and longest-running deployment the service has planned for this year. Led by the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, the deployed task force includes a squadron of four Wildcat helicopters from 815 Naval Air Squadron, distributed among the flagship itself, the destroyer HMS Dauntless, and the Norwegian frigate HNoMS Roald Amundsen. The first test campaigns with the weapon took place in October 2024.
The commander of 815 Naval Air Squadron, James Woods, stated: “The introduction of Sea Venom represents a step change in our combat capability. It offers a lethal combination of precision, range, and flexibility, allowing us to strike decisively across a wide spectrum of maritime, coastal, and land threats. Most importantly, it enables us to neutralize these threats from a distance. This transformational capability for the Fleet Air Arm ensures our readiness to defend and protect NATO and allied interests both at home and abroad.”
Similarly, the commander of the UK Carrier Strike Group deployed during the operation, Commodore James Blackmore, remarked: “Achieving Initial Operating Capability with Sea Venom is another milestone in ensuring that the Carrier Strike Group remains a world-class, combat-ready force. It strengthens our ability to safeguard the maritime environment, reassure allies, and deter adversaries. This capability ensures our crews can operate confidently against a broad spectrum of threats, reinforcing the UK’s commitment to delivering decisive air power in and from the sea.”
Finally, highlighting some of the missile’s notable features, the Royal Navy noted that the Sea Venom allows operators to alter its flight path after launch. Each missile is equipped with an infrared camera that transmits live imagery to the operator’s screen, enabling real-time trajectory adjustments. Notably, this remains the case even when multiple missiles are fired simultaneously, as the system can transmit up to four images in parallel, giving the operator full control over each weapon.
Image credits: Royal Navy
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