Britain's Ministry of Defence is urgently seeking a ship-based counter-drone system to protect naval vessels from the growing threat of unmanned aircraft, with a contract expected to be awarded within weeks.
The Royal Navy is in a race against time to deploy counter-drone capabilities to its fleet, as the Ministry of Defence issues an urgent Request for Information for a system that could be operational within weeks.
The Ministry of Defence has launched Project TALON, a rapid procurement initiative seeking a "rapidly procured and installable Counter UAS (unmanned aircraft system) capability" suitable for maritime platforms. The RFI, spotted by defense site UK Defence Journal, calls for a system that can detect, track, identify, and defeat airborne threats.
What makes this procurement extraordinary is the compressed timeline. Industry has until March 17 to respond, and if the MoD proceeds with the tender, it expects to issue a contract and take delivery of the initial capability within one month. This breakneck speed suggests the urgency stems from recent developments in drone warfare, particularly in the Middle East where Iranian-supplied Shahed drones have proven effective against naval and ground targets.
Mixed Approach to Counter-Drone Warfare
The RFI indicates the Royal Navy wants a "system of systems" approach, combining both kinetic and non-kinetic effectors. Kinetic solutions involve projectiles or missiles that destroy drones through impact or explosive force, while non-kinetic methods use lasers, microwaves, or electronic jamming to disable them.
This dual approach reflects the diverse nature of modern drone threats. Small commercial drones might be best countered with electronic warfare, while larger military drones like the Shahed 136 require more robust kinetic solutions. The emphasis on low-cost effectors suggests the Navy anticipates facing swarms of inexpensive drones rather than single high-value targets.
Technical Requirements and Strategic Implications
The system must defend an area between 100 km² and 2,500 km², with the ability to engage at least 25 targets before reloading, though 100 targets is the desired benchmark. This requirement aligns with the growing threat of drone swarms, where multiple inexpensive aircraft overwhelm traditional air defense systems.
The focus on NATO Class 2 unmanned air systems, covering drones up to about 600 kg, directly addresses the threat posed by Iranian-supplied weapons like the Shahed 136 and its American counterpart, the LUCAS. These medium-sized drones have become a significant concern in the ongoing Gulf conflict.
Leveraging Existing Technology
The RFI's emphasis on mature products suggests the Royal Navy will likely deploy a package of existing weapons systems and sensors rather than developing something new. This approach makes sense given the timeline constraints.
One notable example of autonomous counter-drone capability already in service is the Phalanx close-in weapon system (CIWS). This system has its own radar and can track and engage threats independently, avoiding lengthy integration processes with shipboard fire control systems.
Complementary Systems in Development
The Royal Navy isn't starting from scratch. The service is already due to receive the DragonFire laser weapon, capable of defeating high-speed drones, though it won't be fitted to a Type 45 destroyer until 2027. Additionally, Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters carry the Martlet, or Lightweight Multirole Missile, which has proven effective against aerial drones in trials.
Two Martlet-armed Wildcats have already been deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean amid the ongoing Iran conflict, demonstrating the Navy's proactive approach to the drone threat.
The Broader Context
This urgent procurement reflects a broader shift in naval warfare. Drones have proven their effectiveness from the Black Sea, where Ukrainian forces have used them to attack Russian naval vessels, to the Red Sea, where Houthi rebels have targeted commercial shipping. The ability to defend against these threats has become a critical capability for modern navies.
The compressed timeline for Project TALON suggests the Royal Navy views this as a pressing operational requirement rather than a long-term capability enhancement. Whether this rapid procurement can deliver effective counter-drone capabilities within weeks remains to be seen, but the urgency is unmistakable.
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