British defense firm Babcock and Estonia-based Frankenburg Technologies have partnered to explore the development of a new, affordable maritime counter-drone system.
The initiative aims to counter one-way attack drones, which have emerged as a significant threat to Western air defense systems, as demonstrated in Ukraine.
The proposed solution would consist of a containerized platform capable of launching Frankenburg’s new low-cost missiles, designed for rapid, scalable production to address the growing threat from one-way attack drones, according to a Babcock press release.
A maritime counter-drone system protects ships, ports, and offshore assets by using integrated sensors to detect and track hostile unmanned aerial systems, and neutralize them through electronic attack, spoofing, or kinetic means, including directed energy weapons or rapid-fire guns.
“Defence has entered a new era with the rapid development of drone warfare and industry needs to respond to this growing threat,” Babcock CEO David Lockwood said.
“We work with the brightest start-ups on defence’s most critical challenges, and we’re pleased to be working with Frankenburg Technologies on the development of an innovative maritime counter-drone air defence system.”
Development in UK
Further details about the system or interceptors have not been disclosed, but the development work will take place in the UK, generating skilled jobs and offering Babcock and Frankenburg opportunities for global exports.
Frankenburg recently demonstrated its Mark 1 guided rocket successfully intercepting a fast-moving Shahed-sized drone flying at speeds of up to 200 kilometers (124 miles) per hour.
Developed in just 13 months and built entirely from commercially available components, the interceptor has an engagement range of at least 2 kilometers (1.24 miles) and can operate as a fire-and-forget weapon or in Lock-On-After-Launch mode, allowing it to engage targets even in poor weather conditions.
“Frankenburg Technologies’ mission is clear: to bring affordability and scale to modern air defence. The drone threat has changed the character of warfare, and every layer of defence now needs to be designed for mass and speed from the outset,” Frankenberg Technologies CEO Kusti Salm added.
“Partnering with Babcock, a recognised leader in maritime defence, allows us to combine rapid innovation with proven naval and industrial expertise, accelerating the delivery of an operational maritime capability.”
