Royal Navy warship destroys supersonic missile off the coast of Scotland in ‘historic first’

An advanced Royal Navy warship, the HMS Dragon, has successfully destroyed a supersonic missile in a test conducted off the coast of Scotland.

HMS Dragon launched a specially-modified Sea Viper missile at an incoming supersonic target that was emulating the capabilities of the advanced supersonic missiles in use around the world today.

Despite its impressive speed and its ‘corkscrew and weave manoeuvres’, the target was successfully obliterated by Dragon’s Sea Viper missile, marking a ‘historic first’ for the Royal Navy in facing down this type of target.

“The successful Sea Viper firing as part of Formidable Shield 25 is a huge moment for HMS Dragon,” Commander Iain Giffin, Commanding Officer of HMS Dragon, said.

“Not only does it prove that Dragon’s world leading air defence capability functions as it should following an extensive maintenance period, but it also proves our ability to integrate and operate alongside NATO allies and partners.”

HMS Dragon is currently deployed alongside other NATO ships on Formidable Shield, a joint, live-fire integrated air and missile defence exercise. 10 countries are taking part in the exercise, which involves ships, aircraft, ground forces, and deployed staff.

“Seeing how far Dragon has progressed, both within the Warfare Department as well as the wider ship, is impressive,” said Lieutenant Commander Sarah Kaese, HMS Dragon’s Senior Warfare Officer.

“Formidable Shield has been both a significant challenge and opportunity for Dragon to come together as a warfighting unit and integrate into a task group developing air defence capability.”

The first phase of the Formidable Shield involves nearly 7,000 personnel and took place at the Andøya firing range in Norway, before moving on to the Hebrides range.

The exercise will end on May 31, 2025.