Wildcats and Stormers to get munitions replen after missiles sent to Ukraine
The Royal Navy and Army are to receive £167m worth of Martlet lightweight multirole missiles (LMM) to bolster their stocks after hundreds were sent to Ukraine.
The Government has placed an order with Thales UK for a large number of Martlet missiles, which can be fired from Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters as well as the Royal Artillery's tracked Stormer AFV.
Defence Procurement Minister Maria Eagle said: "In a more dangerous world, we must continue to provide weapons to Ukraine but also replenish our own stocks."
Hundreds of LMMs were gifted to Ukraine as Kyiv's forces fight to repel the illegal Russian invasion which started in February 2022.
"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," Ms Eagle added.
Each Martlet LMM weighs 13kg and can be used to target drones, helicopters, aircraft and fast maritime threats.
Defence Equipment and Support CEO Andy Start 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.
"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."
Thales UK CEO Alex Cresswell said the contract announcement "reflects the enduring partnership" between the UK MOD and his firm for the provision of lightweight weapons.
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