HMS Dragon Shoots Down Supersonic Missile in Historic First for Royal Navy

In a remarkable display of modern naval power, the Royal Navy’s destroyer HMS Dragon has made history by successfully intercepting and destroying a supersonic missile during a live-firing exercise. This marks the first time the Royal Navy has neutralised such a fast and advanced missile threat, reinforcing the UK’s frontline defence capability at sea.

The event took place during Exercise Formidable Shield 25, the largest live missile-firing exercise in Europe this year. Held off the coast of Scotland, this exercise brings together warships, aircraft, and personnel from several NATO countries to test and improve their joint air and missile defence systems.

How the Test Unfolded

During the test, a specially-designed supersonic missile, built to simulate the type of high-speed threats navies might face in the future, was launched over the sea. These missiles are known for their incredible speed and unpredictable movements, often twisting and weaving in the air to avoid interception.

In response, HMS Dragon launched a modified version of its highly advanced Sea Viper missile. In just 2.5 seconds, the missile blasted from its launcher, reaching speeds of over four times the speed of sound (Mach 4). It climbed rapidly into the sky, tracked the incoming missile, and destroyed it mid-air with pinpoint accuracy — a feat likened to hitting a bullet with another bullet.

This was no ordinary Sea Viper; it was a special telemetry version equipped to gather valuable data during its flight. This data will now be used to improve the Royal Navy’s air defence systems even further for future missions.

Why This Matters

Supersonic missiles pose one of the most difficult challenges for modern warships. Their high speed and sudden changes in direction make them extremely hard to track and intercept. The successful destruction of such a target proves that HMS Dragon, one of the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers, is more than capable of defending itself and its allies against the latest threats.

The Sea Viper missile system combines the Sampson radar, a distinctive spherical radar dome mounted on the ship’s mast, with the Aster missile system placed on the ship’s deck. Together, they can monitor and engage targets hundreds of kilometres away, protecting both the ship and nearby vessels from airborne attacks.

Voices from the Ship

Commander Iain Giffin, HMS Dragon’s Commanding Officer, praised his crew and the ship’s performance, saying, “This is a huge moment for HMS Dragon. It proves our world-class air defence capability works as it should and shows how well we can operate alongside our NATO allies.”

Lieutenant Commander Sarah Kaese, the ship’s Senior Warfare Officer, also shared her pride: “Formidable Shield has been both a challenge and an opportunity for our team. It’s incredible to see how far HMS Dragon has progressed as a warfighting unit.”

About Exercise Formidable Shield 25

Exercise Formidable Shield 25 involved around 7,000 military personnel from 11 nations, including the US, UK, and several European allies. The exercise tested naval forces against a range of modern threats, from uncrewed drones to ballistic and supersonic missiles. It began at Norway’s Andøya firing range and continued at the Hebrides Range in Scotland, concluding on 31 May 2025.

For the Royal Navy, this exercise wasn’t just about firing missiles — it was about proving readiness, strengthening alliances, and preparing for the future of naval warfare, where threats are becoming faster, smarter, and harder to stop.

A Glimpse into the Future

This successful test confirms that British warships like HMS Dragon remain at the cutting edge of global naval defence. As threats evolve, exercises like Formidable Shield ensure that sailors and their ships are ready for whatever challenges the future may bring.