UK sends hundreds of Martlet LMM air defense missiles to Ukraine ahead of schedule.

The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed on October 10, 2025, that hundreds of Lightweight Multirole Missiles, known as Martlet, have been delivered to Ukraine five months ahead of schedule. The early transfer bolsters Ukraine’s ability to counter Russia’s growing use of low-cost aerial threats across contested airspace.

The British Ministry of Defence announced on October 10, 2025, that several hundred Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM), commonly known as Martlet, have been shipped to Ukraine under London’s military gifting initiative, arriving five months earlier than initially planned. Defense officials said the accelerated delivery reflects both operational urgency and strong logistical coordination between the UK and Ukrainian armed forces. The Martlet, developed by Thales, is designed for use against drones, helicopters, and fast inshore attack craft, offering flexible engagement options across land and maritime environments.
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The Martlet LMM is a British-made lightweight, laser-guided air defense missile designed to destroy drones, helicopters, and light aircraft at short range with high precision. (Picture source: UK MoD)

Designed and manufactured by Thales in Belfast, Ireland, the LMM is a next-generation precision missile engineered for high-speed engagements against aerial and surface targets. The missile weighs approximately 13 kilograms and measures 1.3 meters in length, offering a range of over six kilometers. It is equipped with a semi-active laser guidance system that allows for pinpoint accuracy and reduced collateral damage, making it ideal for combat in contested and urban environments.

What distinguishes the LMM from legacy systems is its unique combination of lightweight portability, rapid launch readiness, and high-speed target acquisition. With a Mach 1.5 flight speed and low infrared signature, the missile can be shoulder-fired or integrated onto land-based and naval platforms, including the Stormer HVM tracked launcher and various light vehicle turrets adapted by Ukrainian forces. Its multi-role capability allows it to engage drones, rotary-wing aircraft, fast inshore attack craft (FIAC), and even ground targets under specific engagement conditions.

In the Ukrainian operational context, the LMM has proven particularly effective against Russian Orlan-10 reconnaissance drones, Lancet loitering munitions, and low-flying Ka-52 Alligator and Mi-24 Hind helicopters. Ukrainian mobile air defense teams have adopted the Martlet in dispersed formations, deploying on pickup trucks and light armored vehicles fitted with electro-optical tracking systems. This agile deployment model allows rapid reaction to drone incursions and helicopter raids, especially in the eastern and southern theaters where Russian air activity remains persistent but fragmented.

The warhead of the LMM features a blast-fragmentation design optimized to defeat lightly armored or low-signature targets. Its fuze mechanism includes both impact and proximity modes, increasing its effectiveness against small, fast-moving aerial systems commonly used by Russian forces. Unlike heavier air defense systems that are expensive and limited in mobility, the LMM provides a cost-effective, high-availability solution suitable for wide-area coverage and point defense of critical infrastructure.

The integration of the LMM into Ukraine’s broader air defense architecture enhances a layered approach to aerial threat interception. Positioned below medium- and long-range systems such as NASAMS and IRIS-T, the LMM fills a crucial niche in defending against swarm attacks and drone saturation tactics. Its relatively low cost and rapid deployment capability make it ideal for use near the front lines or in contested rear areas where high-value assets remain vulnerable to low-flying threats.

Under the second phase of the £1.6 billion agreement between the UK and Ukraine, Thales will support the deeper integration of LMM systems into Ukraine’s sovereign defense network. This includes compatibility with Ukrainian-built vehicles and targeting suites, improved battlefield networking for fire control, and localized maintenance to support high operational tempo. The shift reflects a long-term commitment to enabling Ukraine’s defense industry to absorb, maintain, and eventually co-develop advanced Western systems.

With its proven track record and growing role in the conflict, the British-made LMM Martlet air defense missile is emerging as a key component in Ukraine’s evolving strategy to counter asymmetric aerial threats deployed by Russia. As winter approaches and Russia is expected to escalate drone and missile attacks on civilian infrastructure, the timely arrival of these missiles will likely prove decisive in maintaining operational resilience and civilian protection across contested zones.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.