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Britain orders more missiles from Thales to shoot down drones - Finance news and analysis from Global Banking & Finance Review
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Britain orders more missiles from Thales to shoot down drones

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on June 1, 2026

1 min read

· Last updated: June 1, 2026

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Britain Orders £36 Million in Thales Missiles to Enhance Middle East Security

UK Strengthens Defence Capabilities with Thales Missile Contract

Contract Details and Financial Overview

LONDON, June 1 (Reuters) - Britain said it signed new contracts worth £36 million ($48.46 million) with defence company Thales to supply hundreds of Lightweight Multirole missiles for the country's armed forces.

Missile Deployment and Usage

This type of missile has been used by UK forces to shoot down drones in the Middle East since the start of the Iran war.

Official Statements and Future Deliveries

Defence minister John Healey said in a statement that the missiles would "continue to keep the UK and our partners more secure in the Middle East and beyond."

The Ministry of Defence said deliveries would begin in the coming months.

Additional Information

($1 = 0.7429 pounds)

(Reporting by Sam Tabahriti; writing by Sarah Young; editing by William James)

Key Takeaways

  • The Martlet (Lightweight Multirole Missile) is a precision‑guided, cost‑effective system optimized for counter‑drone operations and adaptable across air, land and sea platforms (range up to 6‑8 km, Mach 1.5) (armyrecognition.com).
  • This order follows a spike in drone incursions—with over 40 one‑way attack drones intercepted in the Middle East—prompting the UK to expand Martlet missile stocks to sustain deployed forces (armyrecognition.com).
  • The contract enhances Thales UK’s production capacity and supports Belfast’s industrial base, aligning with broader UK industrial strategy and recent larger LMM packages to Ukraine and India (gov.uk).

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the value of the missile contract between Britain and Thales?
The contract is worth £36 million (about $48.46 million).
Which company is supplying the missiles to the UK armed forces?
The missiles are being supplied by defence company Thales.
What type of missiles has Britain ordered?
Britain has ordered Lightweight Multirole missiles from Thales.
What are the missiles intended to be used for?
The missiles will be used by UK forces to shoot down drones, particularly in the Middle East.
When will deliveries of the missiles begin?
Deliveries of the missiles are set to begin in the coming months.

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