On 24 July at the Farnborough Air Show, the UK’s new Minister for Defence Procurement, Maria Eagle, unveiled a significant order for Thales’s lightweight multirole missile (LMM). This announcement coincided with her discussion on the forthcoming Strategic Defence Review (SDR).
The LMM, known as the Martlet when operated by the Royal Navy’s Leonardo Helicopters Wildcats, is also designed for short-range air defense by land forces. It is capable of neutralising various threats, including unmanned aerial vehicles and helicopters. Notably, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has previously supplied Ukraine with “hundreds of missiles” as part of its support efforts.
The new contract, valued at £176 million ($227 million), encompasses an undisclosed number of LMMs set for delivery starting in 2027. This follows a £69 million agreement with Thales earlier this year to secure the supply chain for critical components.
“This substantial order will bolster Thales and ensure our armed forces have the necessary inventory,” Eagle stated.
Andy Start, Chief Executive of the MoD’s Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) organisation, emphasised the importance of this investment: “The UK’s commitment to the missile and its continued production is a testament to the lessons learned from excellent operational experience. This is part of our broader munitions strategy, strengthening UK stockpiles while supporting our allies.”
Eagle elaborated on the SDR, describing it as a comprehensive review of all previous government commitments, assessing current programs and future plans against evolving threats. “We are evaluating everything to maximise its value. The review will be completed in the first half of next year,” she said.
Despite the ongoing SDR, current projects remain on track. Start highlighted the progress of the Boeing E-7 Wedgetail acquisition for the Royal Air Force, noting that the first aircraft’s initial flight is imminent, with the subsequent two aircrafts well advanced in their construction.
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