Defence Online

Thales Belfast factory quadruples LMM production

Land June 3, 2026

Battle-proven C-UAS interceptor in active operational use across land, sea and air; back-to-back orders signal significant acceleration in UK munitions stockpile strategy.

The Ministry of Defence has signed a £36 million contract with Thales UK for hundreds more Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM) – the second significant order placed within weeks, following an additional LMM contract in April. Together they signal that the MOD is moving from reactive stockpile management to sustained, high-volume munitions procurement at operational pace.

The contract was placed by the National Armaments Director Group in May. Deliveries begin within months and continue throughout 2026, ensuring the Armed Forces remain equipped to counter the aerial threats they are actively facing on current operations.

LMM is not a developmental programme awaiting its first deployment. It is a battle-proven, operationally active capability that has already shot down more than 100 drones in the Middle East – including by RAF Regiment gunners using the Rapid Sentry air defence system – and is deployed on Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters operating from Cyprus. With over 1,000 UK personnel currently deployed across the Middle East region, LMM is being expended on live operations, and the supply chain is being asked to keep pace.

The industrial story behind the contract is equally significant. Thales designs and manufactures LMM entirely at its Belfast facility, which has quadrupled its production capability since 2022 and supports around 700 highly skilled jobs in Northern Ireland. A facility scaling at that rate draws substantial investment through its supplier network — in components, materials, manufacturing equipment and specialist services – making this one of the most active and accessible growth opportunities in the UK precision munitions supply chain right now.

Defence Secretary John Healey was direct about the strategic intent: “We’re getting UK-built kit into the hands of our forces faster as we support good skilled jobs and drive growth across the UK. These interceptor missiles are battle-proven – successfully used in action by our RAF sharp shooters over recent months.”

This contract sits within the MOD’s and National Armaments Director Group’s broader programme to increase resilience in munitions supply chains – a policy shift away from just-in-time procurement and toward sustained production capacity that can support both current operations and warfighting contingencies. LMM is one of the most visible expressions of that shift, but the direction of travel applies across the entire munitions stack.

Relevant supply chain capability areas:

• Precision guided munitions components and sub-assemblies LMM
• Laser guidance and seeker head technology
• Warhead design and energetics manufacturing
• Missile airframe structures and propulsion systems
• Electronic systems, software and embedded computing
• Ground support, handling and launch equipment
• Counter-UAS sensors and fire control integration
• Manufacturing scale-up, tooling and production engineering
• Through-life support and in-service munitions management

Thales UK’s Belfast facility is the primary industrial engagement point for LMM supply chain opportunities. Businesses with relevant precision manufacturing, electronics or energetics capabilities should monitor Thales UK’s supply chain portal and National Armaments Director Group procurement activity across the wider UK munitions stockpile investment programme.

Image: Thales

Post written by: Vicky Maggiani

Vicky has worked in media for over 25 years and has a wealth of experience in editing and creating copy for a variety of sectors.