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Amid spiking tensions between Russia and the West, the UK has sent a pointed message to President Vladimir Putin with the successful test of a “cutting edge” cruise missile capable of hitting targets at a distance of more than 60 miles.
And Armed Forces minister Luke Pollard hailed what he called a “significant leap forward” and one which would “help protect our nation”.
The Royal Navy and Royal Air Force are set to benefit from the SPEAR missile, a turbojet-powered miniature cruise missile developed in the UK by MBDA.
In a major milestone, SPEAR successfully completed its first guided firing trial, launched from a Typhoon jet at Sweden’s Vidsel range.
This test marked the first time the system had engaged a target, demonstrating its precision and advanced capabilities.
Each missile is capable of hitting targets up to 62 miles (100km) away, including air defences, ships, and fast-moving vehicles.
Once in service, SPEAR will be deployed on F-35B jets, enabling strikes from both land and the UK’s Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers.
Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard praised the breakthrough: “The successful trial of the pioneering SPEAR missile marks a significant leap forward in UK Armed Forces’ capabilities, ensuring our Royal Navy and Royal Air Force personnel are equipped with cutting-edge technology to protect our nation.”
He added that the programme also benefits the UK economy by supporting high-skilled jobs and innovation.
Mike Mew, MBDA’s tactical strike director, called SPEAR “a truly unique weapon system – the first to offer the range, flexibility, precision, and load-out to defeat modern enemy air defences.”
The trial highlighted SPEAR’s advanced features, including autonomous navigation via customisable routes and a radar seeker that maps and engages targets even in poor weather.
Matthew Brown, SPEAR team leader at Defence Equipment & Support, described the test as “a key step on the way to delivering SPEAR to the UK frontline, where it will provide a new capability to defeat the most complex air defence systems.”
This trial forms part of a broader £6.5 billion Ministry of Defence investment in UK weaponry, including programmes like Brimstone and Sea Venom.
Chris Moon, BAE Systems’ UK delivery director for Typhoon Capability, said: “This successful firing from Typhoon is as a result of the hard work and outstanding collaboration between MBDA, MoD and BAE Systems personnel over many months.”
The SPEAR programme showcases Britain’s leadership in weapons innovation, strengthening both national defence and its industrial base.
Since coming to power in July 2024, the UK Labour government has emphasised continuity and innovation in its defence spending priorities.
Committed to raising defence expenditure to 2.5% of GDP by 2030, it aims to ensure NATO obligations are met while addressing global security challenges.
Labour announced a Strategic Defence Review (SDR) to refine priorities, focusing on enhancing European security, sustaining the UK’s nuclear deterrent, and advancing partnerships like AUKUS for cutting-edge technologies.
Recruitment, personnel welfare, and boosting the domestic defence industry are key elements of their agenda. The Government has also highlighted the importance of innovation, proposing initiatives like a Defence Innovation Agency and strategies for resilience and advanced munitions.