To prioritize missile aesthetics over fiscal prudence, the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on Sunday its plan to shower a whopping £405 million (that’s $514 million, for those counting) on upgrading the Sea Viper Air Defence system. The system, currently in use by the Royal Navy to play drone exterminator in the Red Sea, will receive a makeover that includes swanky new missiles equipped with a fancy new warhead and software capable of tackling those pesky ballistic missile threats.
The contracts for this extravagant makeover have been handed out like party favors to the British division of MBDA, a missiles joint venture owned by Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo. Because nothing says responsible budgeting like throwing money at a joint venture, right?
Defence Minister Grant Shapps, apparently with a straight face, justified this colossal expenditure by stating, “As the situation in the Middle East worsens, it is vital that we adapt to keep the UK, our allies, and partners safe.” Because, of course, what better way to adapt to a worsening situation than by giving the Sea Viper system a makeover that includes countering ballistic missile threats?
Shapps further praised the Sea Viper system for being the Navy’s “weapon of choice in the first shooting down of an aerial threat in more than 30 years.” Because when it comes to military spending, who needs restraint when you can boast about shooting things down?
The upgrade comes against the backdrop of recent drone and missile actions in the Red Sea involving U.S. and British naval forces taking shots at drones and missiles fired by Yemen’s Houthi movement. Evidently, the conflict between Israel and Hamas has turned the Red Sea into a real-life shooting gallery, prompting the UK to revamp its missile system in a bid to stay on trend. In the grand tradition of military spending, where budgets are merely suggestions, the UK’s missile makeover serves as a testament to the timeless principle that when it comes to defense, money is no object – even if that money could have been spent on, you know, something slightly more sensible.
