As part of a £1.6bn deal, 5,000 missiles will be sent to Ukraine
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that 5,000 Ukrainian missiles will be manufactured in Belfast.
The deal worth £1.6 billion was announced at a summit of European leaders in London on Sunday.
It comes after Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, engaged in tense conversations with US President Donald Trump.
Speaking at the Lancaster House summit, Starmer said: “My support for Ukraine is unwavering.
“I am also clear that national security is economic security.
“As well as levelling up Ukraine’s air defence, this loan will make working people here in the UK better off, boosting our economy and supporting jobs in Northern Ireland and beyond.
“By doubling down on our support, working closely with key partners, and ensuring Ukraine has a strong voice at the table, I believe we can achieve a strong, lasting deal that delivers a permanent peace in Ukraine.”
Ukraine will be able to use £1.6bn of financial aid to purchase over 5,000 missiles from Belfast.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has said that the deal will create 200 jobs in Northern Ireland and support another 700 in the UK.
It will also see production at the Thales factory triple.
Speaking on the deal, the British PM said: “This will be vital for protecting critical infrastructure now, and strengthen Ukraine in securing the peace when it comes, because we have to learn from the mistakes of the past.”
Some people online have been critical of the move, with one X user saying: “Belfast, N. Ireland has been thrown under the bus. Stating that’s where the missiles for Ukraine will be manufactured has made the city a legitimate target.”
