The United Kingdom bets on the Stratus LO missile to modernize its Type 26 fleet

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The United Kingdom bets on the Stratus LO missile to modernize the Type 26 fleet
The United Kingdom bets on the Stratus LO missile to modernize the Type 26 fleet (X @NavyLookout)

The British Royal Navy has confirmed that the new Type 26 frigates will be equipped with the Stratus LO missile, the stealthy and subsonic version of the system developed by the multinational FC/ASW program.

The weapon will provide the United Kingdom with enhanced land attack and anti-surface capabilities starting in the 2030s, gradually replacing the Naval Strike Missile and the old Harpoon. The missile, capable of reaching about 1,000 kilometers, has been designed with a reduced radiofrequency signature to operate against advanced air defense systems.

The Stratus LO is part of a missile family that also includes the Stratus RS, a supersonic variant powered by a ramjet, designed for high-speed missions and destruction of enemy defenses. Although the fast version has not yet been selected for the Type 26, both models are designed to operate complementarily, combining stealth and speed in complex attacks. However, the Royal Navy’s initial focus is to ensure the full integration of the Stratus LO into the Mk 41 VLS system of the frigates.

With eight ships ordered, the Type 26 class will bolster the UK’s arsenal alongside the Sea Ceptor and Tomahawk missiles, extending the range and flexibility of the fleet. The adoption of the Stratus LO also paves the way for possible aircraft-launched or even ground-based versions, as well as a future replacement for the Storm Shadow in the Air Force.

For the next decade, the system is positioned as one of Western Europe’s primary long-range strike weapons.

Source: The War Zone | Photo: X @NavyLookout | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team

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