The UK and Australia have partnered to jointly develop a low-cost guided weapon under the Copperhead Project Arrangement. The program merges Australia’s Sharktooth missile, a reconfigurable modular design, with the UK’s Modular Weapons Testbed, producing a “plug-and-launch” system that can be quickly adapted on the battlefield. Announced earlier this year, the project responds to the demand for flexible, fast-to-field munitions capable of addressing evolving threats without the high cost and delays typical of advanced weapons. Unlike legacy modular systems such as JAGM or SPEAR, Copperhead focuses on affordability and speed, making it attractive for nations seeking cost-effective deterrence options.
