The United Kingdom has announced that it is speeding up missile deliveries to Ukraine as part of a £1.6 billion defence package. The aim is to strengthen Kyiv’s ability to defend itself and protect its people as the Russia-Ukraine war continues into another harsh winter. The new deal includes long-range precision missiles, modern air defence systems, and other battlefield support equipment, showing that Britain is standing firmly with Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.
British Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said that the fast-tracked deliveries were part of the UK’s promise to stand with Ukraine as long as needed. “These deliveries will bolster Ukraine’s ability to protect its people and reclaim sovereign territory,” he said. The UK has already been one of Ukraine’s strongest military supporters since the war began, sending Storm Shadow missiles, Challenger 2 tanks, and training thousands of Ukrainian soldiers on British soil.
The latest deliveries include the Martlet Lightweight Multirole Missiles, also known as LMMs, which are designed to destroy drones, helicopters, and low-flying aircraft. These are laser-guided, short-range air defence systems that fill a crucial gap between shoulder-fired Stinger missiles and larger, medium-range systems like NASAMS or IRIS-T.
According to the UK’s Ministry of Defence, hundreds of Martlet missiles made by Thales in Belfast, Northern Ireland, have been delivered to Ukraine five months earlier than planned. The ministry said, “The latest phase of the £1.6 billion deal will enable those battle-winning missiles to be fully integrated into Ukraine’s air defence network, in Ukraine’s own sovereign capabilities.”
Each missile weighs around 13 kilograms, travels at a speed of Mach 1.5, and can hit targets up to six kilometres away. The Martlet can be launched from the shoulder or mounted on vehicles and ships, giving Ukrainian forces flexible ways to respond to air attacks. Military experts say the missile’s accuracy and low risk of collateral damage make it ideal for countering Russian drones such as the Orlan-10 and Lancet, as well as attack helicopters like the Ka-52.
The timing of the delivery is considered crucial. As winter approaches, Russia is expected to increase drone and missile strikes targeting Ukraine’s energy systems and cities. The early delivery of these air defence missiles will help Ukraine protect its skies and keep its energy infrastructure running.
The announcement was made during UK Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard’s trade mission to Kyiv. His visit took place alongside Ukraine’s International Defence Industry Conference, which brought together hundreds of defence companies from NATO and allied nations.
Speaking in Kyiv, Pollard said, “The UK is stepping up our ironclad commitment to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia’s illegal invasion. Driving industrial partnerships is essential so that we can learn from their expertise and together build the industrial base we need to defend the UK, deter our adversaries, and support Ukraine.”
The production of Martlet missiles has also created economic benefits in the UK. Thales’ manufacturing site in Belfast has directly created around 200 new jobs and supported 700 more across the British supply chain. The partnership is not just about supplying weapons but also about building long-term industrial cooperation between the two countries.
Under the UK–Ukraine 100 Year Partnership, both countries are working on a joint industrial framework to help Ukraine develop its own defence production capacity. This includes joint ventures, co-production agreements, and technology sharing to make Ukraine less dependent on foreign imports.
Ukraine’s largest drone manufacturer, UKRSpec Systems, has also announced a £200 million investment in new facilities in the United Kingdom. The project is expected to create around 500 high-skilled jobs. This cooperation builds on earlier programs such as Project OCTOPUS, which focuses on developing low-cost interceptor drones to counter Russian one-way attack drones.
Kevin Craven, CEO of the UK defence group ADS, said the trade mission showed that both countries were serious about building long-term capacity. “This partnership represents the future of defence cooperation. It’s about increasing production capacity, building innovation, and creating a resilient industrial ecosystem for both our nations,” he said.
Minister Luke Pollard said, “Driving industrial partnerships is the best way to make sure Ukraine can stand strong, not just today, but for generations to come.”
