Britain has signed a £36 million ($48 million) contract with Thales for the procurement of hundreds of additional Martlet missiles, expanding stockpiles to support ongoing air-defense operations and counter-drone missions. The order reflects the UK’s continued focus on strengthening its response capabilities against evolving threats in active theaters such as the Middle East, with missile deliveries expected throughout 2026.
Produced by Thales in Belfast, the Martlet is a compact, laser-guided missile weighing 13 kilograms and capable of traveling at speeds exceeding Mach 1.5. With an engagement range of more than 6 kilometers, the missile can be integrated across multiple launch platforms, including naval guns, helicopters, vehicle-mounted systems, and shoulder-fired launchers. Its flexibility allows it to engage drones, low-altitude aircraft, lightly armored targets, and fast-moving maritime threats. The weapon has already proven its utility with the Royal Navy’s Wildcat helicopters and continues to be supplied to Ukraine as part of the UK’s defense support package.
