U.K's Wildcat Helicopters, Combat vehicles to get Thales' Lightweight Missiles

The UK Government has announced a £167 million contract with Thales UK to enhance combat vehicles and Wildcat helicopters with lightweight multirole missiles (LMM).

These missiles will be deployed from platforms like the Stormer vehicle and the Royal Navy's Martlet system on Wildcat helicopters.

Each LMM, weighing 13kg, targets a range of threats including static installations, APCs, asymmetric threats, FIAC, and UAVs. With an operational range of over 6km and speeds exceeding Mach 1.5, the LMM is optimized for urban environments, featuring precision guidance and low collateral damage. It can be launched from various systems, including standalone portable launchers and the RAPIDRanger vehicle system, providing close-range air defense against light aircraft, helicopters, and UAVs.

Thales' laser beam riding technology ensures accurate targeting of FIAC in challenging maritime conditions, protecting ships from swarm tactics. The missile is highly lethal against conventional and asymmetric threats due to its shaped charge, pre-fragmented blast warhead, and sensitive proximity fuze.

Maria Eagle, Minister for Defence Procurement, stated, "In a more dangerous world, we must continue to provide weapons to Ukraine but also replenish our own stocks. Our new order of LMMs from Thales UK will support this, providing our Armed Forces with versatile missiles for threats such as drones, helicopters, and small maritime targets."

Andy Start, CEO of Defence Equipment and Support, emphasized the LMM's proven versatility, saying, "During UK military operations and by our Ukrainian allies, LMM has proven to be versatile and valuable in various battlespaces. We must ensure UK Armed Forces and our allies are equipped to defeat evolving global threats."

Alex Cresswell, CEO of Thales UK, noted, "This contract reflects the enduring partnership between the UK MOD and Thales for lightweight weapons. The LMM's unique laser beam riding guidance system ensures accurate targeting, even in challenging maritime conditions, protecting our ships against FIAC swarm tactics."