UK startup unveils tactical missile, containerised launch system

UK startup Cody Aerospace & Defence has unveiled a new long-range tactical strike missile and containerised launcher, its first products since the company was established in February 2026.  

Announced at the Apex Europe conference in London on 7-8 October, the company says that its containerised ‘Abode’ system will be able to hold and launch up to 12 of its ‘Badger’ long-range missiles.  

What is Badger? 

According to Cody, the Badger missile is designed to have a range of up to 161km and will be entirely produced by a “UK/allied supply chain”.  

The missile will be able to go from order to delivery within one year as part of Cody’s plans, compared with the sector’s usual delivery timelines of over three years, the company’s Founder and CEO, Henry Price, told DSEI Gateway. 

Pre-production of the missiles is expected to begin in 2027, with UK-based testing to follow.  

After this, Cody plans to reach “low-rate initial production readiness” by November 2028 with the manufacture of 100 Badger missiles and five Abode launchers, followed by a second tranche of 250 missiles and nine launchers. 

What is next for Cody Defence & Aerospace? 

Cody aims to expand its products “into a family of weapons with greater range”, Price said. DSEI Gateway understands that the company is currently developing its “Swift” surface to air interceptor missile, which it envisions will also be fired from the Abode launcher. 

Price told DSEI Gateway that Cody is currently “a small team, and looking grow over the next couple of years, but remaining lean”.  

In terms of locations, the company – which currently has operations in the south west of England – will decide where it bases its first manufacturing facility “early next year”.  

The vision “is to eventually have multiple production sites around the UK”, with these likely to be located near to existing UK defence supply chain hubs. 

Beyond this, DSEI Gateway has also learnt that the company will explore localisation in other NATO countries.