South west firm scoops Make UK Manufacturing Award for ground-breaking decoy launcher

The company behind a ground-breaking defence technology has won this year's regional Make UK Manufacturing Innovation Award.

SEA, which has sites in Bristol and Devon, has pioneered a trainable decoy launcher called Ancilia, which it says, represents a step-change in countermeasures technology to respond swiftly to evolving missile threats.

Ancilia’s agile launch capability provides essential protection for naval vessels under attack.

It is now a trademarked product and its impact was underscored by a £135 million contract with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) in March this year. That was the largest contract to date for SEA and parent company Cohort plc, with significant export opportunities predicted over the next five years.

Richard Flitton, the managing director of SEA, said: "The recognition from Make UK is a proud moment for SEA and recognises our team’s commitment to excellence and innovation.

"Ancilia represents a leap forward in maritime defence technology and demonstrates our dedication to addressing complex security needs in a rapidly changing landscape.

"We are thrilled to bring this unique capability to the UK Royal Navy and are excited by its potential on the global stage."

SEA has now expanded its Barnstaple production facilities, made more than 40 internal promotions and hired over 100 new staff across the south west.

The Make UK Manufacturing Awards took place on November 5 and celebrate businesses, which drive transformative change and deliver essential solutions.

Employing over 400 people, SEA has UK offices in Beckington, Bristol and Barnstaple and a Canadian office in Quebec. It was acquired by Cohort plc in 2007.