The Ministry of Defence has awarded a new £12 million contract aimed at accelerating development of a sovereign UK hypersonic missile capability, as part of wider efforts to field a long-range hypersonic strike demonstrator by the end of the decade.
The contract has been awarded to Warrington-based engineering contractor Amentum UK, supported by SME partners Ebeni and Synthetik, based in Wiltshire and London respectively. According to the MOD, the companies will provide engineering expertise to develop the design for a hypersonic system, which is expected to be demonstrated through flight testing before being adapted into prototype missiles capable of operating at the extreme speeds and temperatures required for hypersonic flight.
The announcement was made on 13 February 2026, with the MOD describing the investment as part of the delivery of conclusions from the Strategic Defence Review, which highlighted hypersonic missiles as increasingly central to modern warfighting and NATO deterrence.
Luke Pollard, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, said the contract reflected the need to move faster in developing cutting-edge military technology. “In this new era of threat, we need a new era for defence. This means moving quicker to develop and buy the cutting-edge technologies our Armed Forces need for modern warfighting.”
Pollard added that the award was intended to strengthen national security while supporting industrial growth. “This contract will accelerate the UK’s development of sovereign hypersonic missile capability, strengthen our national security and back British workers.”
The MOD said the contract was awarded only 31 days after the invitation to tender, presenting this as evidence of a shift toward faster procurement and reduced bureaucracy. The department said its Commercial X team was working to modernise acquisition processes and deliver innovation at pace.
Officials said the new deal builds on progress made since July 2024, when the hypersonics programme began awarding contracts through the Hypersonics Technologies & Capability Development Framework. Since then, 124 suppliers have reportedly been involved, with over half classed as small and medium enterprises, and 22 contracts issued across multiple technology areas.
The MOD stated the total estimated value of contracts awarded since July 2024 is now £48 million, with a “notable proportion” flowing to SMEs.