UK signs £1.6Billion deal to supply Ukraine with missiles made in Belfast

The UK has signed a £1.6 billion deal to supply more than 5,000 air defence missiles to Ukraine using export finance.

The Prime Minister has announced that the lightweight-multirole missiles (LMM) will be made in Belfast, creating 200 jobs.

A government statement said, "The latest measures in the UK’s support for Ukraine to achieve peace through strength, the deal will also provide a major boost to the UK economy and support 700 existing jobs at Thales in Belfast, which will manufacture more than 5,000 lightweight-multirole missiles (LMM) for Ukraine’s defence."

"The deal will see production of LMMs at Thales’s factory treble and will also benefit companies in the Thales Supply Chain across the UK – putting more money in working people’s pockets."

"It is the largest contract ever received by Thales in Belfast and the second largest MOD has placed with Thales, building on a previous contract with Thales, signed in September 2024 for 650 missiles. The first batch of missiles were delivered before Christmas, and this new contract will continue deliveries."

Defence Secretary John Healey said, "This new support will help protect Ukraine against drone and missile attacks but it will also help deter further Russian aggression following any end to the fighting.”

"This new deal delivers on the UK's ironclad commitment to step up military support for Ukraine whilst boosting jobs and growth at home."

The contract will be funded by a loan underwritten by United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF).

In September, the Government announced a £162 million deal to send 650 LMMs to Ukraine.