The deal for 5,000 missiles, say the Government, will deliver on the UK’s commitment to Ukraine and will create hundreds of jobs here in the UK.
According to the builders Thales, the Lightweight Multi-role Missile is a lightweight, precision strike, multirole missile. LMM is designed to be fired from a variety of tactical platforms on land, air, and sea against a wide range of conventional and asymmetric threats, including armoured personnel carriers (APC), fast in-shore attack craft (FIAC) and UASs.
The precision laser beam riding guidance system allows for low collateral damage, meaning that LMM is optimised for operation in an urban environment. At Mach 1.5 with a range in excess of 6km, equipped with a triple effect warhead and proximity fuse, LMM is a lethal battle-proven asset.
According to a Government announcement:
“200 new jobs will be created and hundreds more supported at one of the UK’s leading defence manufacturers, after a £1.6bn deal was announced by the Prime Minister today to supply thousands of advanced air defence missiles to Ukraine.
The latest measures in the UK’s support for Ukraine to achieve peace through strength, the deal will also provide a major boost to the UK economy and support 700 existing jobs at Thales in Belfast, which will manufacture more than 5,000 lightweight-multirole missiles (LMM) for Ukraine’s defence. The deal will see production of LMMs at Thales’s factory treble and will also benefit companies in the Thales Supply Chain across the UK – putting more money in working people’s pockets.
It is the largest contract ever received by Thales in Belfast and the second largest MOD has placed with Thales, building on a previous contract with Thales, signed in September 2024 for 650 missiles. The first batch of missiles were delivered before Christmas, and this new contract will continue deliveries.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
“My support for Ukraine is unwavering. I am determined to find a way forward that brings an end to Russia’s illegal war and guarantees Ukraine a lasting peace based on sovereignty and security.
I am also clear that national security is economic security. As well as levelling up Ukraine’s air defence, this loan will make working people here in the UK better off, boosting our economy and supporting jobs in Northern Ireland and beyond.
By doubling down on our support, working closely with key partners, and ensuring Ukraine has a strong voice at the table, I believe we can achieve a strong, lasting deal that delivers a permanent peace in Ukraine.”
Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:
“Three years since Putin launched his full-scale invasion, we are now at a critical moment for the future of Ukraine and the security of us all in Europe.
We all want a secure and lasting peace. As today’s meeting has showed, the UK will continue to lead international efforts to support Ukraine in securing a ceasefire and durable peace. And we will not jeopardise the peace by forgetting about the war. This new support will help protect Ukraine against drone and missile attacks but it will also help deter further Russian aggression following any end to the fighting.
This new deal delivers on the UK’s ironclad commitment to step up military support for Ukraine, whilst boosting jobs and growth at home.”
