The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has placed an order for “a significant number” of Lightweight Multirole Missiles from French defense firm Thales.
Announced on the sidelines of the Farnborough International Airshow 2024, the contract has a total value of 176 million pounds ($227 million).
According to the ministry, the weapon is expected to bolster the British Army’s short-range air defense and the Royal Navy’s anti-surface warfare capabilities.
“Now more than ever, we need to ensure the UK Armed Forces and our allies are fully equipped to defeat the evolving global threats we face,” UK MoD procurement arm chief Andy Start said. “This order with Thales UK is a key element of that collective effort.”
Armed with Martlet missiles, a Wildcat helicopter from @RNASYeovilton flies around a range off the coast of Wales ready for the trials. The missile system will be on the Wildcats that deploy next year with @HMSQNLZ's carrier strike group
🔗 https://t.co/Ic3ixlV6Ft pic.twitter.com/XjQC9pTrS5
— Royal Navy (@RoyalNavy) May 24, 2020
The multi-role missiles will be produced at Thales’ facility in Belfast, supporting 135 jobs and the local supply chain.
Once delivered, they will be used on Stormer combat vehicles and Wildcat helicopters.
‘A Precision Solution’
Also known as the Martlet, the Lightweight Multirole Missile is designed to neutralize a wide range of conventional and asymmetric threats.
It is described as a precision solution that significantly reduces collateral damage and optimizes air defense operations.
Weighing only 13 kilograms (28.6 pounds), it boasts an operational range of six kilometers (3.7 miles) and a maximum speed of Mach 1.5.
According to Thales, the Martlet has been proven effective in engaging various targets, from drones, helicopters, and swarming fast attack craft to enemy armored vehicles.
Replenishing Stockpiles
The company did not provide the exact number of missiles ordered to avoid revealing sensitive information about UK stockpiles.
However, it said the munitions are meant to replenish supplies after Britain donated “hundreds” of the weapon to Ukraine.
“In a more dangerous world, we must continue to provide weapons to Ukraine but also replenish our own stocks,” British defense procurement minister Maria Eagle said.
The Ukrainian military has been using the lightweight missiles from the frontlines to fend off invading Russian forces.
