Naval Strike Missile fills the Harpoon gap

Does the Royal Navy still lack anti-ship missiles on its destroyers and frigates?

The Harpoon gap is being filled by Naval Strike Missile on some escorts, with a longer-range Franco-British VLS weapon still in development.

Royal Navy destroyers and frigates will not remain entirely without anti-ship weapons. Some ships already carry Naval Strike Missile and others are scheduled to receive it as Harpoon leaves service. Britain and France are also developing a longer-range weapon intended for vertical launch, although it is not yet operational. Current ship fit is a separate issue from the political struggle to integrate British weapons on the F-35.