United Kingdom will spend R$2.5 billion to improve missile system against Houthis

The UK Ministry of Defense said on Sunday (21) that it will spend 405 million pounds (R$2.5 billion) to upgrade a missile system that is being used by the Royal Navy to shoot down drones over the Red Sea.

The Sea Viper air defense system will be updated with missiles with a new warhead and software that will allow it to combat ballistic missile threats, the ministry explained in a statement.

The contracts were awarded to the British division of MBDA, a missile joint venture owned by Airbus AIR.PA , BAE Systems BAES.L and Leonardo LDOF.MI .

“As the situation in the Middle East evolves, it is vital that we adapt to keep the UK, our allies and partners safe,” said Defense Minister Grant Shapps.

“The Sea Viper has been at the forefront of this, being the Navy’s weapon of choice in the first kill of an aerial threat in more than 30 years”, he added.

US and UK naval forces in the Red Sea shot down drones and missiles fired by Yemen's Houthi movement this month, as the conflict between Israel and Hamas spreads across the region.

Source: CNN Brasil

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