The MOD has today signed an agreement with MBDA that will upgrade the UK’s Storm Shadow missiles, ensuring they remain fit for purpose and ready for operational use.
Minister for Defence Procurement Harriett Baldwin announced the deal today, during an inward visit by her French counter-part, Laurent Collet-Billon. The contract will be a shared deal in which France’s similar SCALP missiles will also be upgraded. In reaffirming their strong defence relationship, both countries will be saving some £50M through the collaboration. This deal is the most recent in a long history of cooperation on defence and security.
Storm Shadow is a combat-proven, long-range, precision cruise missile, which is in service with RAF Tornados, and has been deployed recently against Daesh in Iraq.
The £146M deal will see the missiles kept in service for more than ten years, and sustain some 60 jobs at MBDA in Stevenage and Bolton, with a further 40 jobs within the supply chain.
The midlife refurbishment programme will consist of updating current missile parts such as the turbo-jet engine, an upgrade of the navigational system, and a like for like replacement of items such as the cabling, seals and gaskets.
Minister for Defence Procurement, Harriett Baldwin said: “Storm Shadow is a proven and vital missile for the RAF, and this £146M upgrade will ensure it is always ready for whenever our Armed Forces might need it to defend our way of life.
“This contract is an important part of the Government’s £178Bn plan to ensure our armed forces have the right equipment at the right time.”
Chief Executive at the MOD’s Defence Equipment and Support Organisation, Tony Douglas said: “The contract to regenerate Storm Shadow, a combat-proven, all-weather precision missile, provides a clear example of the MOD and UK industry working effectively together with our counter parts in France; providing our UK Armed Forces with the best equipment possible while sustaining dozens of UK jobs.”
Laurent Collet-Billon, Délégué Général pour l’Armement said: “This deep-strike missile mid-life update was jointly prepared. It represents a new step in the Franco-British cooperation roadmap and strengthens the Franco-British strategic partnership in the armament field.”
Images: © Crown Copyright – Minister for Defence Procurement, Harriett Baldwin meets with French Defence Procurement Minister Laurent Collet-Billon at Lancaster House in London.
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France MBDA missile MOD RAF Tornados SCALP missile Storm Shadow UK
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