Thales Secures £36 Million UK Ministry of Defence Contract for Additional Lightweight Multirole Missiles

© Kieran Bustard – Thales

(IN BRIEF) Thales has signed a £36 million contract with the UK Ministry of Defence to supply hundreds of additional Lightweight Multirole Missiles to the British Armed Forces. The agreement strengthens the UK’s missile stockpile and builds on existing contracts with Thales. The LMM is a battle-proven, laser-guided missile used across land, sea and air operations by the UK and allied nations, with particular value as a counter-uncrewed aerial system capability. Deliveries are expected to begin in the coming months. The contract also supports Thales’ expanded missile production operations in Northern Ireland, where the company has quadrupled production capacity since 2022, and helps sustain around 700 highly skilled jobs in Belfast.

(PRESS RELEASE) LA DÉFENSE, 2-Jun-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Thales will supply the UK Ministry of Defence with hundreds of additional Lightweight Multirole Missiles under a new £36 million contract, further strengthening the British Armed Forces’ missile stockpile and supporting the continued expansion of the UK’s short-range precision weapons capability.

The agreement builds on existing contracts between Thales and the UK Ministry of Defence, reflecting ongoing demand for the Lightweight Multirole Missile, known as LMM, across the country’s defence operations. Deliveries under the new contract are expected to begin in the coming months.

Designed and manufactured by Thales in Belfast, the LMM is a compact, flexible and combat-proven missile system used by the UK and allied forces across land, maritime and air environments. Its laser-guided precision enables it to engage a range of threats, while its adaptability has made it especially relevant for countering uncrewed aerial systems.

The contract comes as demand for advanced air defence and counter-drone capabilities continues to grow across modern military operations. LMM’s role as a counter-uncrewed aerial system capability supports the UK’s ability to respond to evolving battlefield threats with a missile designed for accuracy, mobility and operational flexibility.

Thales has significantly increased its missile production capacity in Northern Ireland in recent years, quadrupling output capability at its local facilities since 2022. The latest order will help sustain this expanded manufacturing base and support around 700 highly skilled jobs in Belfast, where the missile is developed and produced.

The new contract further reinforces the importance of Northern Ireland’s defence manufacturing sector within the UK’s wider industrial and security strategy. It also underlines Thales’ role as a long-term supplier of precision missile systems to the British Armed Forces and allied nations.

Media Contact:

Cédric Leurquin
Deputy Group Communications Director
+33 (0)6 31 01 53 25
cedric.leurquin@thalesgroup.com

SOURCE: Thales