The British Wildcat Helicopters’ New Multirole Martlet Missiles Are Now Ready for Combat Use

Amid an intense phase of exercises and technical validations, the United Kingdom has confirmed that its Martlet lightweight multirole missiles, integrated into the Royal Navy’s AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat helicopters, are now fully operational for combat missions. The announcement follows a series of demanding day and night trials conducted off the coast of Wales and later in the French Mediterranean, where the system proved its effectiveness by accurately striking both aerial and maritime targets.

During these final trials, the Martlet missile—formally designated as the Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM)—was launched from Wildcat helicopters to intercept small drones and unmanned surface vessels. Despite its compact configuration, the system delivers remarkable kinematic performance, reaching supersonic speeds and maintaining high maneuverability, allowing it to effectively counter fast-moving, low-signature threats. Its versatility and cost efficiency position the Martlet as a key attack and defense asset in demanding maritime operational environments.

Produced at Thales UK’s facility in Belfast, the missile also represents a significant boost for the British defense industry. Its export to India under a £350 million contract will sustain over 700 jobs in Northern Ireland, while hundreds of units have already been delivered to Ukraine five months ahead of schedule as part of the UK’s military assistance program.

In July 2024, the UK Ministry of Defence formalized a new £176 million order for additional Martlet missiles from Thales UK to strengthen the inventories of both the British Army and the Royal Navy. The acquisition aims to offset deliveries made to Ukraine and ensure the national availability of a weapons system in growing demand. The Martlet will equip not only the Wildcat helicopters but also Stormer combat vehicles, enhancing the UK’s response capability against drones, aircraft, and other opportunistic targets.

The Martlet first entered active service in 2021 during the Royal Navy’s Carrier Strike Group deployment, operating from the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth while transiting the Bay of Bengal. Since then, Wildcat helicopters armed with the system have participated in multiple operations, including the ongoing Operation Prosperity Guardian in the Red Sea, aimed at protecting commercial routes from attacks carried out by the Houthis.

The Martlet’s full operational readiness coincides with the recent certification of the Sea Venom anti-ship missile, which is also integrated into the Wildcat fleet. Both systems are part of the Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapon (FASGW) program and significantly expand the offensive and defensive capabilities of British naval aviation. While Sea Venom is designed to engage larger surface vessels such as corvettes and offshore patrol ships, the Martlet specializes in neutralizing light threats and swarms. Together, they consolidate the Wildcat’s role as a versatile and essential platform in the maritime defense of the United Kingdom and its allies.

Image credits: Royal Navy

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