UK Orders 5,000 Missiles for Ukraine from Belfast Factory

The UK has agreed to supply Ukraine with over 5,000 lightweight multirole missiles (LMMs) as part of a £1.6 billion deal announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The missiles, manufactured by Thales at their Belfast factory, are designed to target various threats, including enemy vehicles and drones, and will create 200 new jobs at the site. DUP leader Gavin Robinson emphasized the significance of the order for both the Belfast workforce and Ukraine's defense, asserting that such support has been crucial in resisting Russian aggression. The production capacity of the factory and the delivery timeline for the missiles remain unspecified. This contract is noted as the largest received by Thales in Belfast and represents a continued commitment to bolstering Ukraine's military capabilities amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.