Ballistic Missile Defence – the renewed threats in this area emanating from North Korea has refocused the minds to the subject of Ballistic Missile Defence and the part that can be played by current assets.  The potential for Type 45 Destroyers to help protect deployed UK and Allied Forces from threat of ballistic missiles is to be investigated.      Building on the relationship with the US Missile Defense Agency, the joint MoD and industry run UK Missile Defence Centre has agreed to take part in a trial which will include a Type 45 Destroyer taking part in what will be a major research and development programme. This will include testing the SAMPSON radar, part of the SEA VIPER missile system, in detecting and tracking ballistic targets.