UK Start-Up’s Skyhammer Interceptor Missile Successfully Tested in Jordan as MoD Accelerates Counter-Drone Procurement

Cambridge Aerospace’s Skyhammer interceptor missile has been successfully tested in Jordan, marking a significant milestone for one of the UK’s most closely watched defence start-ups – and signalling the MoD’s intent to move at pace on counter-drone capability following hard lessons from conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

The trial, conducted at Deep Element’s defence development facility in demanding desert conditions, came less than two weeks after the Ministry of Defence signed a multi-million-pound contract with the Cambridge-based, veteran-led company to supply Skyhammer missiles to the UK Armed Forces.

The Capability

Skyhammer is designed specifically to counter Shahed-style attack drones – the low-cost, high-volume unmanned systems that have become a defining feature of modern warfare and a growing threat to both military assets and critical infrastructure. The missile has a range of 30km and a maximum speed of 700km/h, offering a rapidly deployable intercept capability against drone swarms and individual aerial threats.

The first tranche of Skyhammer missiles and launchers is due to be delivered to the UK Armed Forces this month, with further supplies committed within the first six months of the agreement.

Procurement at Pace

The speed of this programme – from contract signature to live testing in theatre in under a fortnight – is being held up by the MoD as a demonstration of what defence procurement can look like when urgency is prioritised. Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard MP, who witnessed the trial during a visit to Kuwait and Jordan, said it represented “a UK start-up innovating, with the backing of this government, to deliver cutting edge technology.”

The contract is supporting over 50 new jobs at Cambridge Aerospace and sustaining 125 existing roles – a relatively modest but symbolically important example of the government’s framing of defence investment as an engine for economic growth.

Export Ambitions and the NAD Task Force

Beyond domestic supply, the MoD is actively working to accelerate exports of Skyhammer and related capabilities to Gulf partners. The National Armaments Director (NAD) Group has established a dedicated Task Force to coordinate financing and licensing for exports across the Middle East, working across government and with UK industry. The Task Force will also manage the impact of ongoing regional conflict on the UK defence supply chain and gather requirements for stock replenishment – an increasingly pressing issue given the tempo of operations in the region.

For UK suppliers with air defence, counter-UAS or related capabilities, the creation of this Task Force is a significant development. It represents a structured, government-backed route to Gulf export markets at a moment when regional demand for proven counter-drone solutions is at a high.

Regional Context

Minister Pollard’s visit to Kuwait and Jordan included meetings with senior defence officials from both countries, with discussions covering regional security, the Strait of Hormuz and bilateral defence cooperation. The UK’s Rapid Sentry ground-based air defence system and ORCUS detection platform are currently operated by UK personnel in Kuwait, and RAF jets have flown defensive missions over Jordan prior to the recent ceasefire.

Cambridge Aerospace CEO Steven Barrett said the trial had proven Skyhammer’s operational credentials: “We have proven that our interceptors are not only cost-effective but also highly capable and will be able to counter the rising threat posed by aerial attacks.”

What This Means for the Supply Chain

The Skyhammer programme illustrates a broader shift in how the MoD is approaching urgent capability gaps – moving quickly, backing non-traditional suppliers, and building export momentum in parallel with domestic procurement. For businesses across the counter-UAS supply chain, including sensor integration, effector technology, launch systems and logistics, the pace of this programme and the establishment of the NAD export Task Force both point to an expanding opportunity set in the months ahead.