UK Advances £600M Sting Ray Torpedo Mid-Life Upgrade to Demonstration Phase
The UK Ministry of Defence has moved the Sting Ray torpedo Mid-Life Upgrade to the Demonstration and Initial Manufacture phase, planning a direct £600 million contract with BAE Surface Ships. The upgrade, following a £60 million assessment phase, will convert Mod 1 torpedoes to enhanced Mod 2 design with new features to counter evolving undersea threats. The contract runs from July 2028 to June 2032, with an option through 2036. The weapon is used by Royal Navy helicopters and frigates, and will be integrated on RAF Poseidon aircraft.
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UK Sting Ray Torpedo Mid-Life Upgrade Moves to Demonstration Phase
The UK Ministry of Defence is advancing the Sting Ray Mid-Life Upgrade programme to the Demonstration and Initial Manufacture stage, intending to award BAE Surface Ships a contract valued at approximately £600 million. The contract, confirmed by a transparency notice on 22 May 2026, covers four years from July 2028 to June 2032, with an option for full manufacture through June 2036. This follows a £60 million assessment phase awarded in June 2024. The upgrade will convert existing Sting Ray Mod 1 torpedoes to the enhanced Mod 2 design, introducing new technological features and broader deployment options to counter evolving undersea threats. The MoD justified a direct award to BAE as the sole OEM with necessary technical knowledge. The Sting Ray, in service since 1983, is used by Royal Navy helicopters and frigates, and will also be integrated on RAF Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.
UK Defence JournalSting Ray Torpedo Mid-Life Upgrade Moves to Demonstration Phase
The UK Ministry of Defence is advancing the Sting Ray Mid-Life Upgrade programme to the Demonstration and Initial Manufacture stage, intending to award BAE Surface Ships a contract valued at approximately £600 million. The contract, confirmed by a transparency notice on 22 May 2026, covers four years from July 2028 to June 2032, with an option for full manufacture through June 2036. This follows a £60 million assessment phase awarded in June 2024. The upgrade will convert existing Sting Ray Mod 1 torpedoes to the enhanced Mod 2 design, introducing new technological features and broader deployment options to counter evolving undersea threats. The MoD justified a direct award on single-supplier technical grounds, citing BAE's unique expertise as the original equipment manufacturer. The Sting Ray, in service since 1983, is used by Royal Navy Merlin and Wildcat helicopters, Type 23 frigates, and will be integrated on RAF Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.
UK Defence JournalUK Sting Ray Torpedo Mid-Life Upgrade Moves to Demonstration Phase
The UK Ministry of Defence is advancing the Sting Ray torpedo Mid-Life Upgrade programme to the Demonstration and Initial Manufacture phase. A transparency notice from Defence Equipment and Support on 22 May 2026 confirms plans to award a direct contract to BAE Surface Ships, the original equipment manufacturer. The initial contract covers four years from July 2028 to June 2032, with an option for full manufacture through to June 2036. The estimated contract value is £600 million, an increase from the previously stated £500 million ceiling. This follows a £60 million assessment phase awarded in June 2024. The upgrade will convert existing Sting Ray Mod 1 torpedoes to the enhanced Mod 2 design, introducing new technological features and broader deployment options to counter evolving undersea threats. The weapon is used by Royal Navy Merlin and Wildcat helicopters, Type 23 frigates, and will be integrated on Royal Air Force Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.
UK Defence JournalUK Sting Ray Torpedo Mid-Life Upgrade Moves to Demonstration Phase
The UK Ministry of Defence is advancing the Sting Ray Mid-Life Upgrade programme to the Demonstration and Initial Manufacture stage, intending to award BAE Surface Ships a contract worth an estimated £600 million. The contract, confirmed by a transparency notice on 22 May 2026, covers four years from July 2028 to June 2032, with an option for full manufacture through to June 2036. The upgrade follows a £60 million assessment phase awarded in June 2024. The MoD justified a direct award to BAE as the sole Original Equipment Manufacturer, citing technical expertise and risks of delays with other suppliers. The Sting Ray Mod 2 will introduce new features and broader deployment options to counter evolving undersea threats, sustaining the weapon for Royal Navy helicopters and frigates, and for Royal Air Force Poseidon aircraft.
UK Defence JournalUK Sting Ray Torpedo Mid-Life Upgrade Moves to Demonstration Phase
The UK Ministry of Defence is advancing the Sting Ray Mid-Life Upgrade programme to the Demonstration and Initial Manufacture stage, intending to award BAE Surface Ships a contract worth an estimated £600 million. The contract, confirmed by a transparency notice on 22 May 2026, covers four years from July 2028 to June 2032, with an option for full manufacture through to June 2036. This follows a £60 million assessment phase awarded in June 2024. The upgrade will refurbish existing Sting Ray Mod 1 torpedoes to the enhanced Mod 2 design, introducing new technological features and broader deployment options to counter evolving undersea threats. The MoD justified a direct award on single-supplier technical grounds, citing BAE's unique expertise as the original equipment manufacturer. The Sting Ray, in service since 1983, is used by Royal Navy helicopters and frigates, and will also be integrated on RAF Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.
UK Defence Journal