UK orders hundreds of LMM missiles from Thales to bolster Middle East air defense
The UK Ministry of Defence signed two contracts worth £36 million ($48 million) with Thales UK in April-May 2026 for hundreds of Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM). The orders aim to rebuild stockpiles and protect over 1,000 British personnel deployed in the Middle East from drone threats by Houthi forces and Iranian-aligned militias. The missiles, built in Belfast and supporting 700 jobs, have already shot down over 100 drones using the Rapid Sentry system. Deliveries begin in 2026.
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UK Ministry of Defence awards $48m missile contracts to Thales
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed contracts worth £36 million ($48 million) with Thales UK to deliver several hundred Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMMs) for the British Armed Forces. Announced on June 1, 2026, the agreements aim to increase missile stockpiles and enhance protection of British personnel in the Middle East and other locations. The procurement follows a March government announcement to acquire additional LMMs for domestic use and export to Gulf Cooperation Council states. Production and design occur at Thales' Belfast facility, supporting approximately 700 specialist jobs. Deliveries are scheduled to commence in the coming months and continue through 2026. The MoD reports that LMMs have been effective in countering drone attacks in the Middle East, with over 100 drones intercepted, some by RAF Regiment personnel using the Rapid Sentry air defence system. The missiles are also deployed on Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters and from UK bases in Cyprus. Over 1,000 UK personnel are currently stationed in the Middle East.
Army TechnologyUK Ministry of Defence awards $48m missile contracts to Thales
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed contracts worth £36 million ($48 million) with Thales UK to supply several hundred Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMMs) for the British Armed Forces. The agreements, announced on June 1, aim to bolster missile stockpiles and enhance protection for British personnel in the Middle East and other regions. Production and design occur at Thales' Belfast facility, supporting approximately 700 specialist jobs. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the coming months and continue through 2026. The MoD noted that LMMs have been effective in countering drone attacks, with over 100 drones intercepted, including by RAF Regiment personnel using the Rapid Sentry system. The missiles are also deployed on Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters and from UK bases in Cyprus. This procurement follows a March government announcement and is part of broader efforts to reinforce munitions supply chain resilience and maintain operational capability with allied nations.
Army TechnologyUK Ministry of Defence awards $48m missile contracts to Thales
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed new contracts worth £36 million ($48 million) with Thales in the UK to supply several hundred Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMMs) to the British Armed Forces. The deal underscores ongoing efforts to modernize and replenish the UK's missile inventory, with Thales' LMM system designed for use against a variety of targets including drones, small boats, and light armored vehicles. The contract is part of broader UK defense procurement initiatives.
Army TechnologyUK orders hundreds more LMM missiles from Thales to replenish stocks and bolster Middle East air defense
The United Kingdom has placed two contracts worth a combined £36 million (approximately $48 million) with Thales for hundreds of additional Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM). The orders, placed in April and May 2026, aim to rebuild stockpiles and reinforce the air defense of British forces deployed in the Middle East. The LMM, a compact precision-guided weapon built in Belfast, has proven effective in combat, with RAF Regiment gunners using the Rapid Sentry system to shoot down over 100 drones in the region. Defence Secretary John Healey highlighted the procurement as part of a new partnership with the UK defense industry, supporting skilled jobs and delivering battle-proven equipment to troops. Deliveries are expected to begin within months and continue through 2026. Over 1,000 British military personnel are currently deployed across the Middle East, facing drone threats from Houthi forces and Iranian-aligned militia groups.
The Defence Blog – Military and Defense NewsUK orders hundreds more Lightweight Multirole Missiles from Thales
Britain has ordered hundreds more Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM) from Thales in two contracts worth a combined £36 million ($48 million), announced June 1, 2026. The orders, placed by the National Armaments Director Group in April and May, aim to rebuild stockpiles and reinforce air defense for British forces in the Middle East. The LMM, built in Belfast, has shot down over 100 drones in the region, fired by RAF Regiment gunners using the Rapid Sentry system. Defence Secretary John Healey linked the procurement to the government's industrial strategy, emphasizing support for UK jobs and faster delivery of battle-proven kit. Deliveries are set to begin within months and run through 2026, with over 1,000 British personnel deployed across the Middle East facing drone threats from Houthi forces and Iranian-aligned militias.
The Defence Blog – Military and Defense NewsBritain orders hundreds of air defence missiles from Thales
The UK Ministry of Defence has signed contracts worth £36 million with Thales UK for hundreds of Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM). The orders, placed by the National Armaments Director Group in April and May 2026, are intended to rebuild air defence stockpiles and protect British forces deployed in the Middle East. Deliveries will begin in the coming months and run through 2026. The LMM, designed and built at Thales' Belfast facility supporting around 700 jobs, is a precision-guided weapon used against small aircraft, fast boats, and drones. According to the MoD, the missile has been used to defeat over 100 drone attacks in the Middle East, including by RAF Regiment gunners operating the Rapid Sentry system. Defence Secretary John Healey highlighted the partnership with industry and the battle-proven nature of the missiles. The UK currently has over 1,000 personnel deployed across the Middle East, including fast jet squadrons and counter-drone teams.
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