The Critical Role Of Countermeasures In Multi-Domain Operations


09 Dec 2025

Ancilia Loaded (1)

As naval leaders reflect on 2025, one message stood out: survivability now depends as much on adaptability as on firepower. For the navies across the globe which need to effectively and proportionately respond to increasing threats from drones as well as ballistic and hypersonic missiles, our next-generation trainable decoy launcher – Ancilia – provides a step-change solution in agility.

A new era of countermeasures defence

With modern threats reducing the time to react for naval platforms, agility defines Ancilia with the launcher able to elevate from 0° to 90° and rotate more than 300°, enabling precise deployment without ship manoeuvre. The system also supports crews to re-aim in just three seconds, ensuring rapid, flexible protection in engagements where every second counts. This unique design means that a vessel can be protected from all angles and deliver an effective response in dynamic combat environments.

Designed and built in the UK, Ancilia has been selected by the UK Royal Navy for the Ministry of Defence’s Electronic Warfare Countermeasures Increment 1a programme. This will see the solution installed on the Royal Navy’s Type 26, Type 31, and Type 45 warships to provide the platforms with a flexible countermeasure solution.

Based on open, modular architecture, Ancilia is ammunition-agnostic and capable of launching any standard NATO 130 mm NATO standard rounds including flares and chaff to confuse and counter incoming threats. This design ensures long-term flexibility and compatibility with future payloads, maintaining flexibility against emerging and as-yet-unknown threats as well as combatting ammunition obsolescence.

Ancilia represents a new era in maritime countermeasures which is defined by agility, resilience and adaptability. As the threat environment evolves, naval forces need solutions that can react in seconds, not minutes. Ancilia’s trainable nature gives operators the flexibility to respond decisively to the threats of today and tomorrow to protect vessels and crews in the most demanding operational scenarios.”

- Nick Poplawski, Head of Decoy Launchers at SEA

HMS Daring D32 Frigate Ship Render Ancilia Naval Countermeasures

A best-in-class solution

Building on the success of Ancilia, SEA has partnered with Terma to enhance the capability further with the integration of Terma’s proven C-Guard technology. Ancilia powered by C-Guard leverages Ancilia’s inherent benefits and pairs it with AI-enhanced algorithms and deep CMS integration delivering an end-to-end capability underpinned by precision software.

Ancilia can also be used alongside the latest ammunition technology, such as Chemring Countermeasures programmable rounds, further enhancing the capability’s longevity and flexibility.

Find out more about Ancilia