Zaluzhny visited the Thales UK defense plant in Belfast
Valeriy Zaluzhny, Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom and former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, visited a facility of the defense and technology company Thales UK near Belfast. There, the diplomat met with company specialists and toured the production facilities for weapons used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The Thales UK facility in Belfast manufactures the Starstreak and LMM/Martlet air defense missile systems.
According to Zaluzhny, it was these missiles that the Ukrainian military actively used to destroy Russian Ka-52s and other helicopters at the start of the full-scale invasion.
“These missiles are still widely used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces as short-range air defense weapons against ‘Shaheds’ and other targets,” Zaluzhny noted.
The production of the LMM/Martlet in Belfast is also of great importance to the United Kingdom itself. The British Ministry of Defense reported that contracts with Thales support approximately 700 highly skilled jobs at the Belfast facility.
The facility also assembles NLAW anti-tank systems.
Zaluzhny emphasized that Ukraine’s cooperation with the British company involves not only the transfer of finished weapons but also a long-term industrial partnership and investments.
“Ukraine and Thales UK have already established an industrial partnership. All of this represents long-term investments, not a one-time transfer of weapons. This model also serves the interests of the United Kingdom: Ukrainian orders are already helping to scale up Thales UK’s missile production in Belfast and restore British air defense industrial capabilities,” the diplomat explained.
The British Ministry of Defense had previously confirmed an expansion of orders from Thales, specifically for Starstreak missiles and the Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM).
According to Zaluzhny, for the United Kingdom and British companies, such cooperation is not only assistance to Ukraine but also an investment in their own defense capabilities.
Separately, Zaluzhny emphasized the importance of Ukraine’s combat experience for the development of new defense technologies.
“Ukraine offers a unique resource—real combat experience combined with one of the most dynamic defense technology sectors in the world. The closer the cooperation between our governments and businesses, the better we will be able to combine Ukraine’s practical experience with the creation of new technologies and new opportunities for both countries,” he noted.
The diplomat added that projects with companies such as Thales UK demonstrate the potential of a strategic agreement between Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
Valeriy Zaluzhnyy posted about his visit on Facebook.
Earlier, former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valeriy Zaluzhny stated that his assessments of the development of military technologies and the need to change approaches to warfare had, at the time, drawn political criticism in Ukraine.
Valeriy Zaluzhny, Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, stated that he currently sees no prospect of Ukraine’s NATO membership. According to him, he does not believe the country will be able to join the Alliance.
