UK delivers missiles early, secures major defence investment with Ukraine

Hundreds of UK-made air defence missiles have been delivered to Ukraine five months ahead of schedule, boosting the country’s defences as Russia’s invasion continues.

Manufactured by Thales in Belfast, the Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM) are part of the UK’s military aid programme and are already being used to protect Ukrainian airspace, Caliber.Az reports via the UK Defence Ministry. 

The delivery comes as Thales and Ukrainian partners advance a £1.6 billion deal to further integrate the missiles into Ukraine’s air defence system—bolstering the nation’s sovereign capabilities. Missile production in the UK is supporting 900 jobs, including 200 newly created roles.

“This year alone we are spending £4.5 billion on military support for Ukraine, more than ever before,” said Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP. “Driving industrial partnerships is essential so that we can learn from their expertise and together build the industrial base we need to defend the UK, deter our adversaries and support Ukraine.”

The announcement coincides with a major UK-led trade delegation to Kyiv, which aimed to deepen defence ties. Over 30 joint ventures have already emerged from UK-Ukraine cooperation, creating jobs and enhancing mutual security.

As part of this growing partnership, Ukraine’s largest drone producer, Ukrspecsystems, will invest £200 million to build two drone manufacturing facilities in the UK, generating 500 high-skilled jobs.

Programme LYRA, a UK-Ukraine technology sharing agreement, also continues to gather pace. A key outcome is Project OCTOPUS—an air defence interceptor drone that will be mass produced in the UK to help Ukraine counter Russian one-way attack drones. These drones offer a low-cost, high-efficiency alternative to traditional missiles.

“This week has been a stark reminder of the need to increase our industrial support and capacity across Europe. As illegal Russian aggression continues to intensify, European nations must come together and deepen their support," Kevin Craven, CEO of ADS, said. 

To help smaller UK businesses engage with Ukraine’s defence sector, UK Defence Exports has launched a new guide offering resources on procurement, partnerships, and contacts—part of the broader UK-Ukraine 100 Year Partnership.

The recent trade mission saw participation from dozens of NATO nations at Ukraine’s International Defence Industry Conference, presenting a united front in support of Ukraine’s defence and long-term resilience.

By Sabina Mammadli