Two new containers have appeared on the British Type-45 class destroyer Dauntless, which probably serve as launchers for interceptor drones. As suggested by Naval News, the images published by the British Ministry of Defense in early October indicate a new level of protection for ships of this class. The Royal Navy declined to comment on the configuration of the equipment, citing safety requirements.
In the photos, "Dauntless" conducts exercises with five Ukrainian minesweepers off the Isle of Wight. The Ukrainian ships completed the Lion Protector exercises, practicing safe maneuvering as part of a small tactical group together with a large warship, the role of which was played by a destroyer. The exercises began in August and aim to improve the military response of the Joint Expeditionary Force to protect Europe's northern flank. According to the Royal Navy, the Dauntless is preparing to escort the aircraft carrier Prince of Wales when it resumes Firecrest 2026 deployment in high latitudes.
Destroyer "Dauntless" with new launchers, United Kingdom
UK MOD
The containers are located on the left and right sides of the main communication mast of the destroyer (painted in black).
"Visual analysis indicates that they contain multiple launchers for interceptor drones. Their size is about 2× 1 meter," Naval News points out. – Interceptors usually require large boxes to take off with rotating propellers. The lack of visible new sensor systems suggests that the devices receive target designation from a set already available on the destroyer: a multifunctional Sampson radar, a long-range S1850M radar on the aft mast, or from optical-electronic complexes."
When asked by Naval News, a Royal Navy spokesman said: "We will not discuss this equipment configuration."
"The appearance of the system on the Type-45 class destroyer shows how the fleet is adapting to the new challenges associated with affordable drones. The British Navy took into account real–world experience, including the conditions faced by the Diamond ship of the same type in the Red Sea when the Houthis launched drones and missiles at merchant ships from Yemen in 2024," the publication adds.
Destroyer "Dauntless" with new launchers, United Kingdom
UK MOD
Interceptor drones provide an additional layer of defense and allow the crew to choose a more accurate response to a threat. They are significantly cheaper than constantly launching expensive anti-aircraft missiles at every enemy drone.
The British Navy has six Type-45 class destroyers. Their displacement is 8,400 tons, the length of the hull is 152.4 meters, and the width is 21.2 meters. Cruising range is 7,000 miles, autonomy is 45 days. The crew consists of 190 people.
Each destroyer is initially armed with a PAAMS (Principle Anti-Air Missile System) anti-aircraft missile system with a range of up to 100 km, a Harpoon anti-ship missile launcher, four anti-aircraft artillery systems (two 20 mm Phalanx CIWS and two 30 mm Oerlikon KCB), as well as a 114 mm Mk artillery system.8. There is one Merlin or Lynx helicopter on board.
