LONDON - On September 12, 2017, the Sea Ceptor User Group was formally launched. The group was officially formed during the debut of the Sea Ceptor system aboard the HMS Argyll. Hosted by the Royal Navy, the two-day user group also includes the Royal New Zealand Navy and the Armada de Chile (Chilean Navy).
The User Group has been devised to improve Sea Ceptor’s operational effectiveness through life and to deliver long-term reductions in the cost of ownership. It will enable users to share their experiences of introduction of the Sea Ceptor into service and employment and support of the operational systems, through a community of interest among the employing navies.
Built around MBDA’s Common Anti-air Modular Missile (CAMM), Sea Ceptor is capable of protecting naval forces from the full range of current and future air threats, including the latest supersonic anti-ship missiles, small precision guided munitions and combat aircraft.
In total, six nations have chosen the CAMM family to provide their future air defense capabilities in both the maritime and land domains. The Chilean Navy is upgrading its Type 23 frigates with multiple new systems, including the Sea Ceptor system. Brazil has also expressed interest in including the system on its next-generation Tamandare-class corvettes.