The UK’s Ministry of Defence has announced it is rapidly restocking its supplies of Martlet counter-drone missiles and clearing the way for rapid export to Middle East allies.
The Martlet is designed to intercept drones, helicopters and fast boats, at the cost of USD50,000 per missile, according to press reports, and the UK is ramping up of the manufacture of Martlet Lightweight Multirole Missiles made by Thales in Belfast.
A new cross-government task force has also been created with UK defence companies to “explore new industry support for regional allies”, it added. Its remit is to collaborate across government so that support flows to partners in the Middle East working with UK industry.
According to the MoD in a March, 19 2026 X post:
“Overnight a British ground-based drone unit operating in a high-threat area took out more than 10 drones that were threatening lives on the ground.”
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(Image: Royal Navy)
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