The United Kingdom\u2019s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has reportedly delivered hundreds of Martlet Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMMs) to Ukraine. Delivered five months ahead of schedule, the missiles were made by Thales in Belfast, Northern Ireland, as part of a \u00a31.6 billion defence cooperation agreement between the UK and Ukraine.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe latest phase of a \u00a31.6 billion deal signed earlier in the year will enable those\u00a0battle-winning\u00a0missiles to be integrated further into Ukraine\u2019s air defence system, in a significant step for Ukraine\u2019s own sovereign capabilities,\u201d the UK\u2019s MoD said in a statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Martlet LMM is a lightweight, laser-guided air defence missile used to shoot down drones, helicopters, and low-flying aircraft. The early delivery means Ukraine now has hundreds of new, short-range air defence systems just as Russia ramps up drone and missile attacks for the winter campaign.<\/p>\n The missiles are part of the UK\u2019s military aid package (\u201cgifting programme\u201d). Under this agreement, Ukraine doesn\u2019t buy them, per se, as they\u2019re supplied as a form of financial support for the beleaguered nation.<\/p>\n Martlett missiles delivery ahead of schedule<\/p>\n The delivery was announced during UK Minister Luke Pollard\u2019s trade mission to Kiev. The visit coincided with Ukraine\u2019s International Defence Industry Conference, which brought together hundreds of NATO and allied defence companies.<\/p>\n The deal <\/a>supports a joint industrial framework helping Ukraine build its own defense production capacity. According to reports, 200 jobs were created directly in Northern Ireland, with another 700 sustained in the supply chain.<\/p>\n Ukraine\u2019s largest drone maker (UKRSpec Systems) is investing \u00a3200 million in UK production facilities, creating 500 high-skill jobs. The deal is part of a broader UK\u2013Ukraine 100 Year Partnership, promoting co-development, joint ventures, and defence export collaboration.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n