On Saturday, March 9th, the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom announced on social media the combat debut of the MBDA CAMM Sea Ceptor (Common Anti-Air Modular Missile) air defense system from the Type 23 missile frigate HMS Richmond (F239), against drones launched by the Yemeni Houthi movement targeting civilian shipping across the Red Sea.
Photos: Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom
According to the information from the UK Defence Minister Grant Shapps, Her Majesty’s warship shot down two drones from the swarm totaling 28 units (out of 37 launched). This was part of an international operation involving American ships, the Danish missile frigate HDMS Iver Huitfeldt (F361) of the Iver Huitfeldt class (4 drones shot down), and the French FS Alsace (D565) of the Aquitaine class in the anti-aircraft version FREMM DA (Frégate Européenne Multimissions de Défense Aérienne; 4 drones shot down).
The ships operate within an international coalition as a part of operation Prosperity Guardian, which began on December 18th last year. One of the targets of the recent Houthi attack was the 190-meter bulk carrier Propel Fortune, sailing under the flag of Singapore, as well as the American missile destroyers present in the region.
The CAMM Sea Ceptor boasts an interception range from 1 to over 25 km, the missile traveling at Ma3 speed enables interception of supersonic anti-ship missiles, aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as targeting fast assault boats in an area covering 1300 square kilometers. CAMM missiles can intercept multiple targets during defense against saturation attacks within a 360-degree zone around the ship. The missile measures 3.2 meters in length and has a launch mass of 99 kg.
In addition to the United Kingdom, they have also been selected by the naval forces of Poland, Brazil, Chile, New Zealand, Canada, and Sweden. Furthermore, their modified variant, the CAMM-ER (Extended Range) missiles with a range extended to over 40 km, as part of the Albatros NG system, has been chosen by Pakistan, as well as Italy for the MAADS (Medium Advanced Air Defence System) ground-based air defense system.
In the case of Poland, the CAMM missiles will be integrated into the armament of three multi-purpose frigates, the Miecznik-class missile frigates, as part of the agreement from January 12th of this year, between the PGZ-Miecznik consortium and the European consortium MBDA. They will be launched from the Mark 41 Vertical Launch System (Mk 41 VLS), ordered on February 1st of this year from Lockheed Martin. The keel of the first vessel, the future ORP Wichr, was laid on January 31st of this year.
Last night’s shooting down of Houthi drones by @HMS_Richmond was the first surface-to-air engagement and use of Sea Ceptor missiles by a @RoyalNavy Type 23 frigate. pic.twitter.com/1uprUMl40f
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) March 9, 2024
Overnight, @HMS_Richmond and international allies fully repelled a Houthi drone attack.
Read the full statement 👇 pic.twitter.com/0axJYW8ehS
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) March 9, 2024
Last night, HMS Richmond used its Sea Ceptor missiles to shoot down two attack drones – successfully repelling yet another illegal attack by the Iranian backed Houthis.
The UK and our allies will continue to take the action necessary to save lives and protect freedom of… pic.twitter.com/CIeGaAgjg8
— Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) March 9, 2024
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