Ukraine to receive huge influx of British Martlet anti-drone missiles
Ukrainian soldier with a Martlet MANPADS (Photo: ArmyFM)
Ukraine will receive 6,000 British lightweight multi-purpose Martlet missiles to combat Russian drones. This weapon has already proven its effectiveness, destroying over 100 enemy targets under combat conditions, according to the blog of military expert and British Army veteran Wes O'Donnell.
Britain is ramping up production of this type of weapon amid the growing threat of drones. The country's Ministry of Defense signed two new contracts with Thales in April and May 2026. The total value of the agreements is £36 million.
For Ukraine, these volumes are significantly larger, running into thousands of Martlet missiles. London began actively funding this direction back in 2025. At that time, about £1.7 billion was allocated for a combination of RapidRanger systems and Martlet missiles for Ukraine. Ukraine received the first batches of this weapon as early as 2024, so our soldiers are already well familiar with the LMM Martlet.
The weapon is manufactured in Belfast, where about 700 skilled specialists work. The then Minister of Defense, John Healey, confirmed that the missiles are battle‑proven. They have been successfully used by the British Air Force over the past few months.
Ukraine to receive huge influx of British Martlet anti-drone missileshttps://t.co/LHCxkBJnd9 pic.twitter.com/4Pt1ECczEA
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What is known about the LMM Martlet
This is a very compact missile, weighing just 13 kilograms, making it easy to transport. Its range is over 6 kilometers.
The main feature is its guidance system. The Martlet uses a laser beam. The launcher guides the missile directly to the target, which fundamentally distinguishes it from systems that react to heat.
Advantages of laser guidance:
- Does not require a heat signature from the target's engine;
- Effectively destroys cheap drones with electric motors;
- Ignores enemy thermal decoys;
- Works even against low-observable aircraft.
For most Russian drones, the Martlet is a fatal sentence. The missile does not need to see a hot jet engine: the operator simply has to keep the aiming point on the target.
This weapon is universal and can be launched from various platforms. The missiles are mounted on Wildcat helicopters, Stormer armored vehicles, or man‑portable systems.
It is an ideal solution for the medium zone. Using expensive Patriot missiles to shoot down Shahed drones is wasteful, while anti‑aircraft guns do not always have sufficient range. The Martlet fills this gap.
What is currently happening with Ukraine's air defense
The Armed Forces of Ukraine are experiencing a severe shortage of Patriot missiles to counter enemy ballistic missiles. Lockheed Martin has warned customers about supply problems for PAC‑3 missiles for Patriot. Therefore, Ukraine's defense industry is now trying to replace them with its own development, the FP‑7.x anti‑aircraft missile.
Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that PAC‑2 and PAC‑3 interceptor missiles remain key elements of Ukraine's defense against Russian air attacks. According to him, supplies of these munitions from the US continue.
