European Sovereignty Monitor

Defence and space

UK signs GBP 316 million DragonFire contract for Type 45 destroyers

The UK Ministry of Defence signed a GBP 316 million contract with MBDA UK on 20 November 2025 to fit DragonFire laser weapons on Type 45 destroyers. The first ship will be equipped by the end of 2027, five years early.

Reported Editor-read Naval News, 20 November 2025

What it does not test. It does not confirm contracts for the remaining two of the four destroyers the MoD has committed to equip.

How this item counts. This item is dated before the index starts on 1 January 2026, so it does not count in the European Sovereignty Index.

How this item was made. Drafted by an AI system (Claude (Anthropic)) from the source cited above; read and approved by the editor on 2026-10-11. How the record is made

What the tags mean: VerifiedReportedAI-draftedAI-drafted, editor-readHuman-writtenWhat the tags mean

Previously in Defence and space

VerifiedOpinionAbroadAI-drafted CEPA opinion: Ukraine needs lasting AI cyber defence, EU must operationalise Solidarity Act VerifiedOpinionAbroadAI-drafted CEPA analyst warns China's mineral grip threatens Europe's drone race VerifiedOpinionAI-drafted SWP analyst says Germany and Europe must build long range naval power for sea lanes

All Defence and space news →