Ukraine will receive 6,000 British Martlet light multi-purpose missiles to combat russian drones. These weapons have already proven their effectiveness, destroying over a hundred enemy targets in combat conditions.
It was reported in a video blog by military expert and British Army veteran Wes O’Donnell.
Britain is ramping up production of precisely this type of weapon amid the growing threat posed by drones. In April and May 2026, the country’s Ministry of Defense signed two new contracts with Thales. The total value of the contracts is GBP 36 million.
For Ukraine, these volumes are significantly larger and amount to thousands of Martlets. London began actively funding this initiative as early as 2025. At that time, approximately GBP 1.7 billion was allocated for a combination of RapidRanger systems and Martlet missiles for Ukraine. Ukraine received the first batches of these weapons as early as 2024, so our troops are well acquainted with the LMM Martlet.
The weapons are manufactured in Belfast, where about 700 qualified specialists work. Then-Defense Minister John Healey confirmed that the missiles are “battle-tested.” They have been successfully used by the British Air Force over the past few months.
It is a very compact missile weighing just 13 kilograms, making it easy to transport. Its range exceeds 6 kilometers.
Its main feature is the guidance system. The Martlet uses a laser beam. The launcher guides the missile directly to the target, which fundamentally distinguishes it from heat-seeking systems.
For most russian drones, the Martlet is a death sentence. The missile does not need to see a “hot” jet engine: the operator simply needs to keep the crosshairs on the target.
This weapon is versatile and can be launched from various platforms. The missiles are mounted on Wildcat helicopters, Stormer armored vehicles, or man-portable systems.
It is the ideal solution for the “middle zone.” Using expensive Patriot missiles to shoot down Shaheds is a waste, and anti-aircraft guns do not always have sufficient range. The Martlet fills this gap.
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