On February 12, 2026, the United Kingdom announced a new £500 million military assistance package for Ukraine, including 1,000 Martlet Lightweight Multirole Missiles, £150 million allocated to NATO’s PURL mechanism, 1,200 additional air defence missiles, and 200,000 artillery rounds.
The United Kingdom announced on February 12, 2026, a new £500 million air defence support package for Ukraine, including 1,000 additional Martlet Lightweight Multirole Missiles along with further missile and artillery deliveries. The package also includes a £150 million contribution to NATO’s Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List mechanism and was revealed during the 33rd Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting held in Brussels.
This urgent assistance package combines missile deliveries, multinational procurement coordination, and industrial cooperation measures. The 1,000 additional Lightweight Multirole Missiles are manufactured in Belfast, while additional artillery ammunition and air defence systems are scheduled for delivery in the coming months. The support effort is linked to ongoing Russian drone and missile strikes targeting Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure, and is structured as part of a broader reinforcement program rather than a single one-time transfer.
The Lightweight Multirole Missile, known in UK service as Martlet, was developed to meet the United Kingdom’s Future Air-to-Surface Guided Weapon Light requirement and complements the heavier Sea Venom missile carried by the AW159 Wildcat helicopter. It has been integrated into ground-based air defence systems used by the British Army as well as naval platforms operated by the Royal Navy. Trials have demonstrated its ability to engage manoeuvring aerial and surface targets, with initial operating capability declared in 2021 and full operational capability achieved in October 2025.
The Martlet missile weighs approximately 13 kilograms, measures 1.3 meters in length, and uses a two-stage solid propellant motor capable of exceeding Mach 1.5, with an operational range of up to 8 kilometers. It carries a 3-kilogram high-explosive blast-fragmentation and shaped-charge warhead and is guided primarily through laser beam riding, with additional options including semi-active laser, infrared, and GPS-supported navigation. The system is designed to counter drones, helicopters, fast attack craft, lightly armoured vehicles, and fixed targets. Production is led by Thales Air Defence, supporting defence manufacturing capacity in Northern Ireland.
Operationally, Martlet missiles have been deployed on Wildcat helicopters during carrier strike operations and tested against drones and maritime targets. In Ukraine, they have been used in ground-based air defence roles, including vehicle-mounted and shoulder-launched configurations. Previous UK commitments included hundreds of missiles delivered ahead of schedule in 2025, while Ukrainian forces have reported successful engagements against drones and rotary-wing aircraft in combat conditions.
The newly announced 1,000 missiles form part of a broader industrial cooperation framework between the UK and Ukraine, including work on launcher systems, maintenance infrastructure, and command-and-control integration. The missiles are intended to strengthen short-range air defence coverage for critical infrastructure, population centers, and frontline operational units facing sustained aerial threats.
In addition, the UK confirmed a £150 million allocation to NATO’s procurement initiative aimed at accelerating delivery of air defence equipment sourced partly from the United States. Alongside the Martlet missiles, the package includes plans for 1,200 additional air defence missiles and 200,000 rounds of artillery ammunition to be delivered in the near term, reinforcing both aerial interception and ground combat sustainment.
The February 12 meeting in Brussels brought together around 50 nations to coordinate Ukraine’s military requirements for 2026 and identify capability gaps. The session was co-chaired by the United Kingdom and Germany, with participation from Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles. The UK highlighted its leadership role alongside Germany and cooperation initiatives with France as part of broader international defence support efforts.
Since 2022, UK military assistance to Ukraine has included Stormer air defence vehicles, Starstreak missiles, ASRAAM ground-launched systems, artillery platforms, multiple launch rocket systems, long-range strike weapons, drones, naval assets, armoured vehicles, electronic warfare equipment, ammunition deliveries, and training programs. The new Martlet missile commitment forms part of this wider strategy aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s air defence resilience and battlefield sustainability.
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