The UK government has accelerated its military support for Ukraine by delivering hundreds of air defense missiles five months ahead of schedule, affirming its commitment to help the nation defend itself against Russian aggression. This delivery is part of a substantial £1.6 billion ($2.13 billion) deal signed earlier this year between the UK and Ukraine, which includes the purchase of over 5,000 air defense missiles produced by Thales at its facility in Belfast.
The missiles, known as Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMMs) or Martlet, have been actively engaged against Russian forces since the beginning of the conflict in 2022. These laser-guided missiles have a range exceeding 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) and can achieve speeds of Mach 1.5 (approximately 1,152 miles or 1,852 kilometers per hour). Their versatility allows them to be launched from land, sea, and air platforms, making them effective against various targets including installations, armored personnel carriers, fast inshore attack craft, and drones.
The missile manufacturing initiative is not only aiding Ukraine but is also bolstering the UK’s economy by creating around 200 new jobs and sustaining an additional 700 existing roles within the country. UK Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard, underscored the government’s dedication to supporting Ukraine, emphasizing that military spending for the year has reached a record £4.5 billion ($6 billion).
Since the conflict began, the UK has provided hundreds of LMMs to Ukraine, resulting in the destruction of numerous Russian drones and other aerial threats. Furthermore, the UK and Ukraine have initiated the LYRA program, focused on the collaborative development of advanced battlefield technologies, including air defense interceptor drones.
Under Project OCTOPUS, plans are underway to mass-produce thousands of these interceptor drones each month for Ukrainian forces, further enhancing their capabilities in countering aerial threats. This comprehensive support package underscores the escalating military partnership between the UK and Ukraine amidst an ongoing conflict.
