Mission capable: UK giving thousands more lightweight multirole missiles to Ukraine
The UK is set to provide Ukraine with more than 5,000 advanced air defence missiles as the Prime Minister reiterated his unwavering support for Kyiv.
The lightweight-multirole missile, or LMM, is the designation given to the land-based variant, while in Royal Navy service it's known as the Martlet.
It is versatile and can be fired from a range of platforms across land, sea and air, including on fast attack craft, armoured vehicles like the Army's Stormer and the Navy's Wildcat helicopter.
The missile is precision-guided by laser beam and is optimised for use in an urban environment, according to the weapon's manufacturer, Thales.
LMMs travel at a speed of Mach 1.5 and have a range of over 6km.
The announcement by Sir Keir Starmer will see Thales in Belfast receive its largest ever contract and it is the second largest placed with the defence firm by the MOD.
Worth an initial £1.16bn, with a further £500m of work to be potentially added, Thales Northern Ireland will collaborate with a Ukrainian industry partner to build launchers and command and control vehicles for the missiles to be used in Ukraine.
Sir Keir said he was determined to find a way that "brings an end to Russia's illegal war and guarantees Ukraine a lasting peace based on sovereignty and security".
"I am also clear that national security is economic security," he said.
"As well as levelling up Ukraine's air defence, this loan will make working people here in the UK better off, boosting our economy and supporting jobs in Northern Ireland and beyond.
"By doubling down on our support, working closely with key partners, and ensuring Ukraine has a strong voice at the table, I believe we can achieve a strong, lasting deal that delivers a permanent peace in Ukraine."
Ukraine has already used the LMM missile as part of its air defences, with delivery of 650 of the missiles starting in December last year.
The deal also builds on the 100 Year Partnership signed recently by the Prime Minister and President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.
This contract enabled Ukraine to draw on £3.5bn of export finance to acquire military equipment from UK companies.
Defence Secretary John Healey said the move would deliver on the UK's "ironclad commitment to step up military support for Ukraine, whilst boosting jobs and growth at home".
"Three years since [Russian President Vladimir] Putin launched his full-scale invasion, we are now at a critical moment for the future of Ukraine and the security of us all in Europe," he said.
Mr Healey also said the support will help Ukraine fight off drone and missile attacks and deter Russia.
"We all want a secure and lasting peace," he said.
"The UK will continue to lead international efforts to support Ukraine in securing a ceasefire and durable peace.
"And we will not jeopardise the peace by forgetting about the war."
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