The United Kingdom has expedited the delivery of several hundred Martlet Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM) to Ukraine ahead of schedule. The move is part of a broader effort to reinforce Ukraine’s short-range air defense (SHORAD) network amid escalating drone and loitering munition threats on the battlefield. The Martlet’s portability and versatility make it well-suited for countering small UAVs and other low-altitude aerial threats.
Martlet LMM: A Versatile SHORAD Asset
The Martlet LMM is a lightweight precision-guided missile developed by Thales UK. Originally designed under the Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapon (Light) program for naval use against fast inshore attack craft (FIAC), the missile has since been adapted for multiple roles including air-to-air and ground-based air defense.
Key specifications include:
- Weight: ~13 kg
- Length: 1.3 meters
- Range: up to 6 km
- Guidance: Laser beam riding
- Warhead: High-explosive fragmentation
The missile can be launched from various platforms including rotary-wing aircraft (e.g., Wildcat helicopters), vehicle-mounted launchers, and shoulder-fired systems when integrated with a suitable launcher. Its beam-riding guidance makes it resistant to many common electronic countermeasures used by UAVs.
Operational Use in Ukraine’s Evolving Air Defense Network
The Ukrainian Armed Forces have increasingly relied on layered air defense solutions combining Western-supplied systems like NASAMS, IRIS-T SLM, and Gepard with indigenous and legacy Soviet-era platforms. However, the proliferation of small UAVs—especially FPV drones used by Russian forces for reconnaissance and kamikaze strikes—has exposed gaps in close-range coverage.
The Martlet fills a critical niche in this spectrum. It offers an affordable alternative to more expensive interceptors like Stinger or Starstreak while maintaining sufficient lethality against Group I/II UAVs (<25 kg). Ukrainian units have reportedly integrated Martlets with mobile launchers such as Supacat HMT vehicles or even improvised tripods with electro-optical sights.
Accelerated Delivery Timeline Reflects Urgency
The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that the shipment was delivered “months ahead of schedule” due to urgent operational requirements expressed by Kyiv. While exact quantities remain undisclosed for security reasons, sources suggest several hundred missiles were included in this tranche.
This rapid delivery follows previous UK contributions including NLAW anti-tank weapons, Storm Shadow cruise missiles, and Starstreak high-velocity missiles—all tailored toward asymmetric warfare needs on Ukraine’s front lines. The decision underscores London’s continued commitment under its £4 billion multi-year support package announced in early 2024.
C-UAS Role Grows Amid Drone Saturation Threats
Drones have become ubiquitous across all sectors of the Ukrainian battlespace—from ISR quadcopters to Lancet loitering munitions. Traditional radar-guided systems often struggle with low-RCS targets flying at treetop levels or operating in cluttered urban terrain.
This has led Ukrainian forces to experiment with hybrid C-UAS approaches combining jamming (EW), kinetic effectors like shotguns or autocannons (e.g., ZU-23-2), and precision-guided missiles such as Martlet or RBS-70 NG. The laser beam-riding nature of Martlet makes it particularly effective when paired with stabilized EO/IR targeting pods or man-portable laser designators.
Comparison with Other SHORAD Systems Deployed in Ukraine
The Martlet complements other Western-supplied SHORAD assets currently fielded in Ukraine:
- Starstreak HVM: Also laser beam-riding but much faster (~Mach 3+); better suited against fast jets/helicopters but costlier per shot.
- Piorun MANPADS: Polish infrared-guided system; effective against low-flying aircraft but susceptible to flares/spoofing.
- C-UAS Autocannons: Gepard SPAAGs provide radar-cued firepower but are limited by ammunition stocks and maintenance issues.
In contrast, the relatively low cost (~£20k–£30k per unit) and modularity of the Martlet allow widespread deployment at platoon/company level without overburdening logistics chains—a key factor given Ukraine’s decentralized force structure.
Industry Implications and Production Outlook
The accelerated transfer also signals increased production tempo at Thales’ Belfast facility where both Starstreak and Martlet are manufactured. In April 2024, Thales confirmed plans to double output capacity following new UK MoD contracts aimed at replenishing domestic stocks while supporting exports under frameworks like the International Fund for Ukraine (IFU).
This surge aligns with broader NATO efforts to scale up munitions manufacturing amid sustained demand from both frontline states and backfill requirements across Europe.
Conclusion: A Scalable Solution for Asymmetric Air Threats
The UK’s early delivery of Martlet LMMs reflects both strategic urgency and tactical pragmatism. As drone warfare continues reshaping modern conflict dynamics—particularly on contested frontlines like those in eastern Ukraine—lightweight precision interceptors offer a scalable response that balances cost-efficiency with operational effect.
If successfully integrated into wider Ukrainian C-UAS doctrine alongside EW assets and kinetic layers, the Martlet could become a mainstay tool not only against drones but also as a deterrent against low-level rotary-wing incursions or cruise missile terminal phases when cued appropriately.
