Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • Thales to supply UK Armed Forces with multirole missiles

Defence Events

Thales to supply UK Armed Forces with multirole missiles

A significant number of Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM) have been ordered by the UK Government from Thales for the supply of the versatile, precision weapon to the British Armed Forces.

Above: DE&S CEO Andy Start and Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle, at the DE&S stand at Farnborough.
Courtesy DE&S

 
The order is worth £176 million and will equip current and future short-range air defence capabilities for the British Army, such as Stormer combat vehicles and be fired by the Royal Navy’s Martlet maritime anti-surface missile system deployed from Wildcat helicopters.  
 
Weighing only 13kg each, LMM provides a precision solution against threats such as drones, helicopters, other aircraft, and small, fast maritime targets.
                                                                                     
Supporting 135 jobs at Thales’ site in Belfast, Northern Ireland, the contract placed by Defence Equipment & Support – the MoD’s procurement arm – will also support economic growth through small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and the local supply chain.

Advertisement
ODU RT

Hundreds of LMMs have also been gifted to Ukraine, as they have fought to repel the illegal Russian invasion which started in February 2022.


 
Maria Eagle, Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, said: “In a more dangerous world, we must continue to provide weapons to Ukraine but also replenish our own stocks.

“Our new order of Lightweight Multirole Missiles from Thales UK will support this, providing our Armed Forces with versatile missiles that can be used against threats such as drones, helicopters and small maritime targets.
 
“This contract is also a great example of how defence investment can support economic growth and sustain jobs in the UK for years to come.”


 
LMM were first fired from a Wildcat in the Bay of Bengal during the Royal Navy’s Carrier Strike Group deployment of 2021, marking initial operating capability for the Martlet system.
 
Martlet has since supported operations including Operation Prosperity Guardian, helping to protect commercial ships from attacks by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.
 
Andy Start, DE&S CEO, said: “As we have seen during UK military operations and when used by our Ukrainian allies, LMM is a versatile and valuable missile in a variety of battlespaces.

Advertisement
ODU RT

“Now more than ever we need to ensure UK Armed Forces and our allies are fully equipped to defeat the evolving global threats we face. This order with Thales UK is a key element of that collective effort.”
 
The order follows a £69 million contract placed by DE&S earlier this year, also with Thales UK, to secure the supply chain for key components used in the manufacture of the missiles.
 
Production at the Thales Belfast site has doubled since the conflict in Ukraine as the global demand for air defence capabilities has increased.
 
Alex Cresswell, CEO of Thales UK, said: “Today’s contract announcement reflects the enduring partnership between the UK MOD and Thales for the provision of lightweight weapons.
 
“I look forward to continuing to work closely together with the MoD to deliver the capabilities our Armed Forces need, and to make industry more resilient to deal with increasing demand.”

Advertisement
Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman
UK and allies warn of cyber attack vulnerabilities

Defence Security

UK and allies warn of cyber attack vulnerabilities

13 November 2024

The UK and international allies issued an alert yesterday, showing an increase in cyber attackers initially exploiting previously unknown vulnerabilities to compromise enterprise networks.

GKN Aerospace deliver C-27J nacelles to Leonardo

Aerospace Defence

GKN Aerospace deliver C-27J nacelles to Leonardo

13 November 2024

GKN Aerospace has delivered the first two C-27J nacelles to Leonardo Aircraft since 2018, marking a significant milestone in the revitalisation of its supply chain and production capabilities.

BCB introduces the Dragon Mk3 D-25

Defence

BCB introduces the Dragon Mk3 D-25

13 November 2024

Together with its partners, UAVE Ltd, BCB International in Cardiff has expanded its range of British-designed and manufactured drones, with the introduction of its Dragon Mk3 D-25.

RTX’s Collins Aerospace to provide UK Chinooks with CAAS avionics

Defence

RTX’s Collins Aerospace to provide UK Chinooks with CAAS avionics

12 November 2024

RTX's Collins Aerospace has received a $19 million contract from the Department of Defense (DoD) to equip a fleet of new H-47 Chinooks for the UK Royal Air Force with its Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) avionics management suite.

Advertisement
ADS S &P RT
BAE Systems to collaborate with Hensoldt

Defence

BAE Systems to collaborate with Hensoldt's ESG

11 November 2024

BAE Systems will collaborate with German military systems specialist ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-GmbH, part of the HENSOLDT Group, to explore ways to combine their technology and experience across the European defence market.

RTX’s Raytheon LTAMD completes complex live fire test

Defence

RTX’s Raytheon LTAMD completes complex live fire test

11 November 2024

Raytheon today announced that its Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMD) successfully completed its most complex live-fire exercise to date, detecting and defeating a tactical ballistic missile.

Advertisement
ODU RT 2