Huge £135m boost for Royal Navy warships after spate of Red Sea attacks

Royal Navy warships in the Red Sea have been given a huge £135m boost. Type 26 and Type 31 frigates and Type 45 destroyers will be equipped with “cutting-edge” decoy launchers to help them evade missile drone attacks, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced.

It comes after HMS Diamond and HMS Richmond were attacked by Houthi militants in the Red Sea.

The MoD said the new equipment comes as new drone and missile technology “creates greater threats to the UK’s fleet” with officials saying the launchers will provide “optimised manoeuvrability” allowing them to defend themselves without changing course.

The launcher fires a range of countermeasures, which include chaff, flares and ‘corner reflector’ rounds to target hostile missiles.

Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge said: “In a time of global instability, it is vital we protect the Royal Navy in the best possible way to ensure national security. 

“With recent attacks towards HMS Diamond and HMS Richmond in the Red Sea, it’s crucial our sailors have the latest technology to best defend themselves and the fleet.  

“The new Trainable Decoy Launcher technology is an improvement on speed and agility and highlights more excellent work from UK companies in backing UK defence.”

Defence officials added that the new equipment would ensure “the long-term availability and resilience of warships”.

The MoD says the deal will also sustain 150 jobs in the south-west, with the equipment being manufactured in Systems Engineering and Assessment Ltd (SEA) site in North Devon and Chess’s facilities in Sussex.

It comes as the Iran-backed Houthi are said to be planning to expand the Red Sea conflict outside of the Middle East.