Thales Thrivers in Northern Ireland: 850‑Strong Team Gearing Up for a New Missile Hub
What’s the Buzz?
Thales UK is rolling out a third facility in Northern Ireland after the Prime Minister tipped the nation that the firm will supply 5,000 Lightning‑Fast Lightweight Multi‑Role Missiles (LMMs) and finish assembling Saab NLAWs. The sweet spot? A whopping £1.6 billion deal.
Meet Nigel MacVean
Managing director for the Northern Ireland arm, Nigel sat down with Stormont’s Economy Committee just last Wednesday. He shared plans to crank up production, while reminding us that these knuckle‑crackers have already made it to the front lines in Ukraine.
Why the Missiles Matter
- The LMMs – the key to keeping Russian helicopters out of Ukraine’s skies. Nigel claims they’re “widely recognised” for their back‑sides.
- The NLAW – the guardian angel for Kyiv’s tanks. It’s praised as “widely regarded” for keeping nasty Russian wheels from rolling into the capital.
Jobs on the Horizon
Right now, Thales UK is proud to have 850 skilled folks stationed in Belfast. And guess what? Over the next couple of years, they’re aiming to add another 200 positions. That’s a brainstorming session worth a good 10‑hour coffee break.
Takeaway
Thales is not just building missiles; it’s building confidence, jobs, and a bit of Northern Irish pride. With the new facility set to open, the region looks set to become a powerhouse of defense tech – all while sparking a local workforce cheer.
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UK Sky’s the Limit: Heavier Defence, Bigger Investments, and a Thales Boom
Picture this: a wave of pounds‑worth‑of‑payment sweeping over Northern Ireland, a new missile order illuminating Belfast, and a thriving defence sector that’s about as warm as a steamy cup of tea.
From Two Sites to Triple Play
“We’re taking our footprint from the two existing sites in Northern Ireland to something gloriously bigger – a third one very soon,” says a certain pro‑defence favourite. “Right now we’re launching roughly a £100 million sprint in capital infrastructure.” The note? Local companies will do the heavy lifting.
Starmer Makes the Play Stronger
Last week, Sir Keir Starmer kicked the defence budget into high gear. The plan adds £13.4 billion a year to the war‑machine by 2027, aiming to lift defence spending to 3 % of GDP by 2029.
- “The whole approach to national security must now change.”
- “We’ll ask British industry, universities, businesses, and people to step up.”
- “Britain has always been ready to stand up – it’s all about staying united and showing strength.”
Gavin Robinson on the Missiles Order
“It’s a massively significant order,” says the DUP leader. “It builds on work done to encourage defence spending in Northern Ireland and highlights how vital Thales is to what we’re doing for Ukraine.” He added that Ukraine came close to falling, thanks to early work in Belfast.
“Belfast poured in more than just money; it blew up with participation, and we now have a £1.6 billion contract for 5,000 units, plus 200 new jobs at Thales,” Robinson proclaimed. “We’re looking at a real powerhouse, folks.”
Coming in on the English Channel
Imagine Russian weapons sailing through the English Channel, only to be knocked out by a cavalcade of British armaments. It’s a hard‑to‑ignore possibility—Ukraine could easily destroy hundreds of tons of vital Russian weapons by the time they reach the Channel.
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