HMS Richmond's Sea Ceptor missile debuts in combat against Houthi drones

The British Ministry of Defence announced the combat debut of the MBDA CAMM Sea Ceptor air defence system from the deck of the HMS Richmond (F239) Type 23 Duke class frigate, against unmanned drones launched by the Houthi.

On Saturday, 9 March, the British Ministry of Defence announced on social media about the combat debut of the MBDA CAMM Sea Ceptor (Common Anti-Air Modular Missile) air defence system from the deck of the HMS Richmond (F239) Type 23 Duke class frigate, against unmanned drones launched by the Yemeni Houthi movement over the Red Sea against civilian shipping.

According to information from UK Defence Minister Grant Shapps, the Royal Navy warship shot down two drones out of a swarm of 28 (from 37 launched). This was part of an international action, which involved U.S. ships, the Danish frigate HDMS Iver Huitfeldt (F361) of the Iver Huitfeldt type (4 shot down) and the French FS Alsace (D565) of the Aquitaine type, FREMM anti-air version FREMM DA (Frégate Européenne Multimissions de Défense Aérienne; 4 shot down).

The ships are operating as part of an international coalition and the operation named Prosperity Guardian, which started on 18 December last year. The aim of the latest Houthi attack was, among others, the 190-metre (approximately) bulk carrier Propel Fortune, sailing under the Singaporean flag, as well as American missile destroyers in the region.

The CAMM Sea Ceptor features an interception range from 1 to over 25 kilometres, and the missile moving at a speed of Mach 3 enables the interception of supersonic anti-ship missiles, aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned flying vehicles, but also the engagement of fast assault boats within a 1,296 square kilometres area. The CAMM missiles can intercept multiple targets during protection against a saturation attack within a 360-degree range around the ship. The missile is 3.2 metres long and has a launch weight of 99 kilograms.

In addition to the United Kingdom, CAMM missiles were also selected by the navies of Poland, Brazil, Chile, New Zealand, Canada, and Sweden. Their development, the CAMM-ER (Extended Range) missiles with an extended range of over 40 kilometres, within the Albatros NG system, were chosen by Pakistan, as well as Italy within the MAADS (Medium Advanced Air Defence System) ground-based air defence system.

In the case of Poland, CAMM missiles will be equipped on three Miecznik class multi-purpose frigates under the agreement from 12 January this year, between the PGZ-Miecznik consortium and the European consortium MBDA. They will be launched from the universal containerised Mark 41 Vertical Launch System (Mk 41 VLS), ordered on 1 February this year from Lockheed Martin. The keel of the first ship, the future ORP Wichr, was laid down on 31 January this year.

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