UK Expands Martlet LLM Missile Procurement After 40+ Drone Intercepts in Middle East.

British armed forces have intercepted more than 40 one-way attack drones in the Middle East, driving the United Kingdom to expand procurement of Martlet Lightweight Multirole Missiles to sustain counter-drone defenses. The decision reinforces a system already proven in close-range engagements against small UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Systems).

The additional missiles will strengthen short-range air defense and ensure sufficient interceptor stockpiles as Iranian-backed drone attacks increase in frequency and pressure deployed forces across the region.

Read also: UK Navy Converts Wildcat HMA2 Helicopter to Counter-Drone Role with Martlet Missiles

A British Royal Navy AW159 Wildcat helicopter fires a Martlet (LMM) missile during a live-fire exercise, showcasing its precision-strike capability and multi-role weapon integration. (Picture source: Royal British Navy)

The move follows heightened regional tensions after the US-Israel strike on Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, with a UK defence official stating on March 18, 2026, that additional planners have been deployed to the Pentagon while naval assets are on standby. This posture highlights the urgency of scalable air defense systems capable of countering mass drone attacks while maintaining operational readiness across land and maritime domains.

The Martlet missile, developed and manufactured by Thales UK in Belfast, is a lightweight precision-guided weapon designed specifically to defeat small and fast aerial threats. It uses a laser beam riding guidance system, which provides high accuracy and strong resistance to electronic jamming. The missile has an effective range of more than 6 km and carries a focused blast fragmentation warhead optimized to destroy drones, light aircraft, and small surface targets. Its relatively low cost compared to traditional surface-to-air missiles makes it particularly suited for repeated engagements against swarm attacks.

A defining strength of the LMM is its ability to operate across a wide range of platforms, enabling flexible deployment across joint force structures. In the air domain, the missile is fully integrated on the Royal Navy’s AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat helicopter. Each aircraft can carry up to 20 Martlet missiles across two weapon wings and four weapon stations, delivering a high volume of precision engagements against multiple targets in a single sortie. Alternatively, a mixed loadout can be configured with 10 Martlets and two Sea Venom anti-ship missiles, allowing simultaneous counter-drone and anti-surface warfare capability. The configuration can also be adapted by removing one weapon wing to install a mounted gun, providing additional close-range firepower.

On land, the British Army has incorporated the LMM into its ground-based air defense architecture alongside the Starstreak high-velocity missile. The system is deployed on Stormer tracked armored vehicles and lightweight air defense platforms operated by units such as 12 Regiment Royal Artillery and 106th (Yeomanry) Regiment Royal Artillery. This integration provides a layered defense capability, where Starstreak is used against high-speed or higher altitude threats, while Martlet delivers precise and cost-effective interception of low, slow, and small drones. The combination significantly enhances battlefield survivability against diverse aerial threats.

In the maritime domain, Martlet is also deployed on Royal Navy vessels via close-in weapon systems designed to counter unmanned aerial systems and fast-attack craft. Its compact size and modular launcher design allow rapid installation on various ship classes, extending protective coverage for naval task groups operating in high-threat environments such as the Gulf region.

Operational deployment in Iraqi Kurdistan demonstrates the system’s effectiveness in real combat conditions. A UK-supported counter-drone unit based in Erbil has used Martlet missiles extensively to defend coalition positions, including a recent engagement in which more than five drones launched by pro-Iranian militias were intercepted in a single attack. These engagements confirm the missile’s ability to provide reliable point defense against coordinated drone strikes, a growing feature of modern asymmetric warfare.

The threat has also expanded to fixed installations, including RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, which has faced repeated drone incursions from armed groups in Lebanon. A drone strike on March 1 highlighted the vulnerability of forward operating bases and reinforced the need for mobile, precise air defense systems like Martlet that can be rapidly deployed and integrated into layered defense networks.

Beyond immediate operational use, the UK’s expanded procurement supports broader strategic objectives, including strengthening defense cooperation with Gulf partners. The Ministry of Defence has indicated that Martlet missiles will not only equip British forces but may also be supplied to allied nations alongside training programs, enhancing interoperability and regional air defense resilience. This aligns with ongoing UK efforts to build integrated defense partnerships, as explored in [Army Recognition analysis of UK air defence modernization] and [Army Recognition report on counter-UAS battlefield evolution].

From an industrial perspective, the increased demand for Martlet reinforces Thales UK's role as a key supplier of advanced missile systems. Expanding production capacity contributes to supply chain resilience and ensures sustained availability of precision munitions critical for modern conflict. This industrial dimension is further examined in [Army Recognition coverage of Thales UK missile programs].

The growing reliance on systems like Martlet reflects a shift in air defense doctrine toward cost-effective, high-frequency engagement capabilities. As drone warfare continues to evolve, the ability to deploy adaptable, multi-platform missiles that can counter persistent low-altitude threats is becoming essential to maintaining battlefield superiority and protecting both deployed forces and strategic assets.

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.