UK to deliver 650 multi-role missiles to bolster Ukraine's air defence

The UK Ministry of Defence has unveiled plans to provide Ukraine with 650 Martlet missiles, a key component in enhancing the country's air defence capabilities.

The first shipment of these multi-role missiles is expected to be delivered by the end of 2024, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

The announcement comes as part of a £162 million contract aimed at strengthening Ukraine's air defence infrastructure. British Defence Secretary John Healey is set to officially reveal the aid package during a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group at the US Ramstein Air Base in Germany on September 6.

Manufactured by the French military-industrial group Thales at their Belfast facility, the Martlet missiles are versatile, designed for use across helicopters, boats, land platforms, and even Starstreak man-portable anti-aircraft systems. Each Martlet missile measures 1.3 meters in length, 76mm in diameter, and weighs 13kg, with a 3kg warhead and a range of up to 8km.

Although the use of Martlet missiles in Ukraine was first reported in 2022, the UK government has not previously disclosed the total number of these missiles supplied.