Artillerymen from the 16th Regiment Royal Artillery, based at Thorney Island, took control of the high-tech Sky Saber weapons platform.
The “detect and destroy” advanced air defense system will be “a real breakthrough” and “the system of choice” according to defense experts.
Replacing the old Rapier devices, the new weapons were designed to counter the threat of Russian stealth fighters and hypersonic missiles.
Jeremy Quin, Minister of Defense Procurement, said: “Sky Saber’s advanced technology has dramatically improved the protection of our forces against air threats.
“This state-of-the-art defense system is a clear demonstration of our combat capabilities to those who wish to harm us.”
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Sky Saber is made up of a common modular anti-aircraft missile, with a range three times that of Rapier, and Giraffe radar, which rotates 360 degrees on an extendable mast and can search for threats up to 75 miles.
The missiles can reach speeds of 2,300 mph, destroying fighter jets, drones and even laser-guided smart bombs up to 16 miles.
Eight missiles are mounted on the launcher, which is able to rearm in less than half the time of Rapier.
Defense expert Nicolas Drummond said the system was one of the deadliest of its kind in the world, adding that it “is certainly one of NATO’s best systems and is used by the United Nations. France and Italy “.
Lt. Col. Chris Lane, commander of the 16th Royal Artillery Regiment, said: “We will be able to compete with our peers and face some of the toughest adversaries.
“It gives us a capacity that we didn’t have before; this new missile system with its new launcher and world-class radar will put us absolutely at the forefront of air defense on the ground. ‘
Sky Saber Senior Training Officer Major Tim Oakes added, “Sky Saber is so precise and agile that it is able to strike a tennis ball-sized object moving at the speed of sound.
“In fact, it can control the flight of 24 missiles simultaneously in flight, guiding them to intercept 24 separate targets. It’s an incredible ability.
