Cambridge Aerospace's Skyhammer air defence system at DSEI UK.
UK startup to supply air defence systems to UK and Gulf states
The deal marks the startup’s first contract overseas.
14 APR 2026
By
Tom
Barlow-Brown
Defence Journalist, DSEI Gateway
UK defence startup Cambridge Aerospace is set to supply its ‘Skyhammer’ drone interceptor systems to the UK and Gulf states to counter low-cost aerial threats.
Disclosing the agreement at the London Defence Conference on 10 April, Defence Secretary John Healey announced that – subject to contract – the first platforms will be delivered as early as May to the UK.
Additional missiles and associated launchers will be delivered within the first six months of the agreement, a separate Ministry of Defence (MoD) announcement detailed.
According to the MoD, the company will also export the system to undisclosed Gulf states, underlining the government’s push to accelerate UK defence exports to the Middle East.
What is Skyhammer?
The Skyhammer at DSEI UK 2025
Skyhammer is a low-cost air defence system with a range exceeding 30km and a top speed of approximately 700km/h, the company states.
Development of the system began in January 2025. It is designed to counter a growing range of low-cost aerial threats, including one-way attack drones and slow-moving missiles.
Founded in late 2024 by Professor Steven Barrett and chaired by former Cabinet Minister Grant Shapps, Cambridge Aerospace has grown quickly from concept to production and is currently in talks to raise additional funding to support its expansion.
Welcoming the MoD’s decision, Barrett said rising airborne threats mean the UK and its allies need deployable and cost-effective air defence at scale.
“Skyhammer was designed to do exactly that – bringing affordable mass to protect our skies. We welcome the government’s commitment to supporting UK air defence with scalable, sovereign solutions,” Barret said.
The planned exports follow a roundtable hosted in London in March, where Gulf ambassadors and defence attachés met representatives from 13 UK defence companies to discuss closer collaboration. Cambridge Aerospace was among several startups in attendance, alongside firms including Frankenburg Technologies and Uforce.
As part of the meeting, the government also announced a task force within the National Armaments Director Group to coordinate support for UK defence firms working with partners across the Middle East.
Tom
Barlow-Brown
Defence Journalist, DSEI Gateway
Tom Barlow-Brown is a Defence Journalist for DSEI Gateway. Previously he worked as a reporter in the maritime sector covering developments in energy and tech.