The United Kingdom Ministry of Defence has confirmed procurement of additional Thales Martlet lightweight multirole missiles (LMM) to bolster counter-drone capabilities for British forces, particularly in the Middle East. This decision responds to heightened demand as the laser-guided weapons prove effective against unmanned aerial threats.
Manufactured by Thales Air Defence in Belfast, Northern Ireland, the Martlet missile weighs 13 kilograms, achieves speeds exceeding Mach 1.5, and offers an operational range beyond 6 kilometers. It supports air-to-air, surface-to-air, and surface-to-surface roles, launching from man-portable systems, helicopters, light armored vehicles like the Stormer, or ships. The missile features a high-explosive fragmentation or tandem shaped-charge warhead, with laser guidance for precision against drones, low-flying aircraft, and light armor.
This acquisition aligns with recent operational successes, where Martlet systems downed drones during deployments supporting Gulf states under Iranian attack. The UK’s move replenishes stockpiles after substantial exports, including over 5,000 missiles to Ukraine announced in March 2025, followed by batches of 650 in September 2024 and 1,000 in February 2026 as part of a £500 million air defense package with RapidRanger systems. Ukraine employs Martlets in shoulder-fired MANPADS and Stormer vehicles since 2022.
India secured a £350 million deal for Martlets during UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s 2025 Mumbai visit, enhancing bilateral defense ties. The Royal Navy integrates Martlets with MBDA’s Sea Venom on Wildcat helicopters, achieving initial operating capability in the Indo-Pacific. Production ramps up to meet global needs, sustaining jobs in Belfast.