The UK plans to procure additional laser-guided Martlet multirole missiles to bolster British forces in the Middle East against Iranian drone threats.
Also known as Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM), the UK-made system has already proven effective in the region, according to a UK Ministry of Defence press release.
Royal Navy Wildcat HMA2 helicopters deployed to Cyprus are using the Thales-made missiles to help form a defensive shield protecting the island from further attacks.
With an estimated unit cost of around $50,000, the missile offers a relatively cost-effective solution for countering drone threats.
UK Industry Tapped to Support
The decision followed a meeting convened by UK Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard to explore expanded industry support for Gulf allies.
Attended by representatives from 13 defense companies, as well as Gulf ambassadors and defense attachés, the meeting focused on identifying defensive equipment and technologies that UK-based firms could rapidly supply to counter Iranian drone and missile threats.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey and Foreign Office Minister for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, Hamish Falconer, also attended, alongside ambassadors and defense attachés from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Iraq, and Jordan.
“Iran’s indiscriminate attacks are a threat to Britain, our allies, and our partners in the region. That’s why our dedicated armed forces are taking defensive action in the Middle East,” Healey said.
“As Iranian attacks against our partners in the Gulf continue, the UK is stepping up our support – both military and industrial. We are committed to defending British people, interests, and partners across the region,” Pollard added.
Lightweight Multirole Missiles
The LMM is a short-range precision weapon designed for use across air, land, and maritime operations, offering flexibility for a wide range of mission profiles.
Weighing around 13 kilograms (28.7 pounds), the missile has an operational range of over 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) and can reach speeds exceeding Mach 1.5 (1,850 kilometers/1,150 miles per hour).
It uses laser guidance to deliver accurate strikes while minimizing collateral damage. It can be launched from multiple platforms, including shoulder-fired and tripod-mounted systems, as well as vehicle-mounted and integrated solutions such as RapidRanger.
Capable of engaging a variety of threats — including drones, helicopters, light armored vehicles, and small boats — the LMM is also well suited for naval operations, where it can be deployed from guns or helicopters to counter fast-moving air and surface targets in complex environments.
