BritishTtroops test Sky Sabre in NATO’s Drill
The British Army announced on Friday that troops from the 16th Regiment Royal Artillery have successfully tested the Sky Sabre air defense system during NATO’s Formidable Shield 25 exercise in the Outer Hebrides.
The system is capable of intercepting multiple aerial threats at ranges of up to 120 kilometers.
According to the Ministry of Defence, Sky Sabre enhances the United Kingdom’s contribution to NATO’s integrated air and missile defense network.
The trial was conducted as part of NATO’s largest live-fire naval exercise in Europe, which brought together nine allied nations. Supporting air assets included Norwegian F-35 fighters and UK Eurofighter aircraft. Participating forces practiced joint responses to complex scenarios, including ballistic missile defense and air defense missions.
Sky Sabre, produced by MBDA, consists of three components: the Agile Multi-Beam surveillance radar, known as the “Giraffe”; a battle management, command, and control center; and Land Ceptor missile launch vehicles. These elements provide the system with the ability to track, coordinate, and intercept multiple threats simultaneously.
The Ministry of Defence said that during the exercise, allied participants shared tactical data, engaged in NATO-level planning, and carried out coordinated training designed to strengthen interoperability and readiness.
The Government also confirmed new procurement linked to the program. The Ministry of Defence announced it is doubling the number of deployable Sky Sabre systems by purchasing six additional Land Ceptor launchers under a three-year, £118 million ($158 million) contract with MBDA. The agreement is expected to support up to 140 jobs across the United Kingdom, including at the company’s site in Bolton, Lancashire.
According to the Ministry of Defence, this expansion is part of the Government’s ‘Plan for Change’ and ‘NATO First’ policy, set out in the Strategic Defence Review. The investment is intended to ensure the Armed Forces are prepared to meet future threats and contribute more effectively to NATO’s collective defense posture.
Formidable Shield 25 provided the framework for allied forces to test interoperability at both tactical and operational levels. The Ministry of Defence said the exercise reinforced NATO’s ability to conduct combined defense operations and highlighted the importance of coordinated planning in response to evolving threats.
By expanding the number of Sky Sabre systems and integrating them into NATO training and operations, the United Kingdom is positioning the system as a key part of its air and missile defense strategy.