The Thales missile factory in Belfast is to supply 5,000 air defence missiles to Ukraine, the prime minister has announced. The deal is worth up to £1.6bn and will involve recruiting 200 additional staff.

The new contract, initially valued at £1.16bn with potential extensions up to £500m, will see Thales Northern Ireland working alongside a Ukrainian industry partner.

The missiles will be produced at Thales in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where the order will create 200 jobs and support 700 existing ones.