The Thales missile factory in Belfast has secured a deal to supply 5,000 air defense missiles to Ukraine, valued at up to £1.6 billion. The contract is set to create 200 additional jobs as part of the expansion of production.
Thales, a leading European arms manufacturer based in France, will provide lightweight multirole missiles (LMMs), which are already in use by Ukrainian forces. The new order is significantly larger than a previous £162 million contract in September last year, which saw 650 LMMs delivered to Ukraine.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the deal as part of his four-point plan to “reach peace and defend Ukraine.” The contract will involve collaboration with a Ukrainian industry partner to manufacture missile launchers and command and control vehicles locally, further strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
East Belfast MP and DUP leader Gavin Robinson emphasized the significance of the order amid global political tensions, praising the expertise of Thales’ workforce. He added that the contract is vital for Ukraine’s defense against Russia, underscoring the importance of standing firm in the face of international aggression.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed that this is the largest contract ever received by Thales in Belfast. Defence Secretary John Healey highlighted that the deal will help bolster Ukraine’s defenses against drone and missile attacks, serving as a deterrent against further Russian aggression.
The £1.16 billion deal is part of a broader agreement with the UK Ministry of Defence’s procurement arm, Defence Equipment & Support. It will be funded by a loan from United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF), under a previous agreement allowing Ukraine to access £3.5 billion in support for purchasing UK-made military equipment.
This contract represents a significant step in the UK’s continued support for Ukraine’s defense efforts amid ongoing conflict with Russia.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c74knzk9x8zo