Article Posted on : - Oct 08, 2013

Sea Ceptor Air Defence System. An MBDA photo

PARIS (BNS): The New Zealand MoD has selected MBDA as the provider of Sea Ceptor for the Local Area Air Defence (LAAD) system for the Royal New Zealand Navy's (RNZN) ANZAC frigate systems upgrade project.

New Zealand MoD Deputy Secretary of Defence (Acquisition), Des Ashton, announced the decision to select the Sea ceptor on 4th October following a meeting with UK Minister for International Security Strategy, Dr Andrew Murrison MP, in Wellington.

The Sea Ceptor air defence system will equip frigates HMNZ Te Kaha and Te Mana with the latest generation naval air defence system capable of protecting not only the host ship but also combined joint allied forces in the vicinity.

As an active radar system, Sea Ceptor does not require the dedicated tracker/illuminator radars on which semi-active systems depend. Sea Ceptor deploys the CAMM (Common Anti-Air Modular Missile) which, due to its soft launch technology, requires no efflux management system, MBDA said.

This minimizes the system's mass and footprint thereby allowing for greater flexibility regarding ship installation positions. CAMM missile canisters are compatible with a wide range of vertical launch systems, it said.

According to Des Ashton, "The primary objective of the ANZAC Frigate Systems Upgrade project is to restore the ship's combat capability and utility to a comparative level to that of a current generation, new release Combat System..."

Steve Wadey, Managing Director MBDA UK, said "...The NZ Government's procurement of Sea Ceptor for the ANZAC FSU project will be the first export success for this highly capable weapon system and proof that MBDA is able to meet such challenging requirements..."

On the 9th September 2013, the United Kingdom's (UK) Royal Navy contracted with MBDA for the manufacture of the Sea Ceptor system for its frigate fleet.

The UK will replace the Seawolf missile system in their Type 23 frigates with Sea Ceptor before migrating it to their new build Type 26 frigates.