The announcement was made as a UK trade delegation was visiting Kyiv, led by Minister for Defense Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard.
Martlet missiles are manufactured at a Thales facility in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The LMMs are in use in Ukraine since 2022 and have proven to be effective on the battlefield. Thales is currently expanding the facility with a $2.13 billion investment, which will allow to supply even more Martlets to the Ukrainian military.
“The latest phase of a GBP1.6 billion deal signed earlier in the year will enable those battle winning missiles to be integrated further into Ukraine’s air defense system, in a significant step for Ukraine’s own sovereign capabilities,” the statement said.
Pollard also announced a $267 million investment Ukraine's largest drone manufacturer in drone production within the UK. The project, according to the minister, will create 500 jobs.
He reiterated the UK government's unwavering commitment to assist Ukraine in defending against Russia's armed aggression.
“The UK is stepping up our ironclad commitment to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia’s illegal invasion,” Pollard said.
“This year alone we are spending GBP4.5 billion [$6 billion] on military support for Ukraine, more than ever before.”
Ukraine's Defense Ministry previously explained that the LMM is a high-precision interceptor missile effective against Shahed-type UAVs, although it can also be used to attack targets on land.