The United Kingdom has placed a new £36 million (approximately $48 million) order with Thales for hundreds of additional Martlet lightweight multirole missiles, reinforcing its missile inventories amid growing operational demands. The procurement is intended to strengthen the British Armed Forces’ ability to counter emerging aerial threats, including drones, across the Middle East and other deployment regions, with deliveries scheduled to begin in the coming months and continue through 2026.
Manufactured at Thales’ Belfast facility in Northern Ireland, the Martlet missile has seen a significant production ramp-up, with output capacity increasing fourfold since 2022. The 13-kilogram laser-guided weapon can reach speeds of around Mach 1.5 and engage targets at ranges beyond 6 kilometers. Designed for versatility, the missile can be launched from naval platforms, helicopters, man-portable launchers, and ground vehicles, making it effective against UAVs, low-flying aircraft, lightly armored vehicles, and fast attack craft. The Martlet is already operational with UK forces, including Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters deployed in Cyprus, and has also been supplied to Ukraine as part of British military assistance.
