Britain boosts Ukraine defense with 5,000 Martlet missiles
The British Ministry of Defense announced on March 2, 2025, that Ukraine will receive over 5,000 Martlet (LMM) anti-aircraft missiles. We present what this new system, which achieved initial operational readiness by the end of 2021, can accomplish.
Following the unsuccessful talks between President Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, the British revealed plans to provide Ukraine with more than 5,000 Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM) systems, also known as Martlets. These systems are intended to protect Ukrainian infrastructure from threats such as Russian cruise missile attacks.
To meet the contract's volume, valued at 1.6 billion pounds, the Thales corporation factory in Belfast will be expanded. The most recent contract from September 2024, involving 650 units, already resulted in the delivery of the first batch of missiles before the holidays.
Keir Starmer's cabinet continues the policy of supporting Ukraine established by his predecessor since the full-scale war began in 2022. It is noteworthy that the British were pioneers in crossing Putin's "red lines" by offering the first deliveries of modern NATO tanks, such as the Challenger 2, and long-range weapons, including the Storm Shadow cruise missiles.
Martlet (LMM) — a newer alternative to the FIM-92 Stinger from the UK
The Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM) system, commonly referred to as Martlet, is a product of Thales Air Defence and is celebrated for its versatility. Although it is not a typical anti-aircraft defense missile, its warhead is capable of attacking lightly armored vehicles, such as BMP-2 or patrol boats.
Although LMM uses the same guidance and launcher system as the Starstreak, it features a traditional warhead capable of functioning in both fragmentation and shaped charge modes. The guidance, based on a unique laser beam, not only offers low cost but also complete immunity to self-defense systems like flares, though it does require the shooter to guide the launched missile until impact.
The system weighs 29 pounds, and Thales states its range is 4 miles when launched from a ground launcher or 5 miles from a helicopter. It's important to note that, unlike the Starstreak, which reaches a speed of 3.5 Mach (2,690 feet/second), the Martlet moves slower, reaching 1.5 Mach (~1,670 feet/second). These are superior parameters compared to, for example, the American FIM-92 Stinger systems, which have an interception range of up to 3 miles and an altitude capability of up to 2.5 miles, in addition to their ability to attack ground targets.
