HMS Defender of Royal Navy successfully destroys jet drone in a £1bn test, considered the ‘world’s largest’ demonstration of naval defences.
The Royal Navy’s Type 45 warship, HMS Defender, successfully destroyed a jet drone during tests of naval defences. The £1 billion warship deployed to Scotland’s Outer Hebrides for Formidable Shield 2023, an exercise involving 13 NATO and partner nations to test missiles, systems, sensors, and software against ballistic, subsonic, and supersonic targets.
Petty Officer Cameron McDonnell controlled the Sea Viper missile fired from Defender at the drone, which travels at hundreds of miles an hour, and successfully downed the ‘Bruiser’. The Sea Viper system is undergoing a £300 million upgrade to ensure the Navy is protected from the latest threats, including anti-ship ballistic missiles.
Each Type 45 destroyer carries up to 48 missiles, each capable of taking out aerial threats at ranges up to 75 miles away. The successful firing was crucial not just for today, but for the future of the Fleet’s air defence.
Image copyright MoD
While the successful test of HMS Defender’s naval defences is impressive, questions arise about the necessity of spending £1bn on such demonstrations when the funds could potentially be allocated to other pressing needs.