A ballistic missile fired in anger is extremely easy to detect – but extremely difficult to stop.Armed with either conventional or nuclear warheads, this type of delivery system travels at a high, arching trajectory. It flies rapidly, especially on its way back down from space to hit its target.If that target was sat on British soil, UK air defence only has one platform that could intercept it – the Type 45 destroyer. The Royal Navy has six of these warships but, due to refits and repairs, only two or three have been at sea in recent years.
