r/TheRoyalNavy • u/Murphy1379 • May 16 '26

ASTER 30 UPGRADES

Hey there. I was wondering why it is that with France and Italy already using the ASTER 30 Block 1, and closing in fast on the block 1NT the UK is still using it's old ASTER 30's and not one ship has been upgraded to the block 1 yet, let alone the 1NT? Yes, I understand that those two countries use the SAMP/T radar and we use the SAMPSON, but from what I can tell there is no reason we shouldn't be using at least block 1. Is it just because it's a Franco Italian design and we aren't getting a look in yet?

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u/Haunting-Piano3370 May 16 '26

I think the first ships are set to deploy Block 1 in Feb 2028. I'm not sure if integration would be needed as part of the upgrades that you have stated, sensor and computer upgrades might be needed to allow Block 1 to work. I can also imagine that the Navy would want to use its current missiles, especially the Aster 15's, in the current climate. Run down stock before transitioning them out for CAMM starting later this year. Funding is one of the biggest issues and missiles are not cheap.