First Minister Michelle O’Neill has expressed her incredulity over a UK government deal to supply air defence missiles to Ukraine, worth up to £1.6 billion. The Thales missile factory in Belfast will produce 5,000 missiles for the Ukrainian military.
O’Neill believes that public services should be prioritized over weapons of war, citing concerns about austerity measures and their impact on vulnerable communities. She emphasized the importance of working towards peace settlements and negotiation rather than buying arms.
The deal has been welcomed by Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, who praised Northern Ireland’s aerospace and defence industry as a vital contributor to the economy. DUP MP Sammy Wilson criticized O’Neill’s position, arguing that it is contradictory to welcome European support for Ukraine while criticizing missile sales.
The factory will also create 200 additional jobs, as part of the deal. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the order as part of a four-point plan to “reach peace and defend Ukraine.”
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2er3ynvmlmo