The DUP leader Gavin Robinson has said the order for 5,000 air defence missiles from Thales in Belfast is “hugely significant” for the workforce.
On Sunday the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the lightweight multi-role missiles will be made at the Thales weapons factory in Belfast for Ukraine which will create 200 jobs.
Starmer said, “This will be vital for protecting critical infrastructure now and strengthen Ukraine in securing the peace when it comes.”
During a press conference at Stormont Robinson said, “It is a hugely significant order.
“It builds on not only the work that has been done to encourage defence contributions and spend in Northern Ireland, but it also recognises the significant contribution Thales has made to the ongoing efforts in Ukraine.”
He acontinued, “In fact, Ukraine would have fallen had it not been for the contribution from Belfast in the early phases.
“While international coalitions have increased and contributions have been made from a wide range of countries and companies, the Belfast contribution has continued to grow.
“It is of vital importance. To achieve a contract of £1.6 billion with 5,000 units and the encouragement for employment of 200 new employees at Thales is hugely significant indeed.”
He added, “This order of 5,000 units in an overall package of £1.6 billion is hugely significant for the Belfast workforce. It is a recognition of their skill and what they do in our city.
“There is no point talking about international principles, no point talking about the values we respect and that we wish to protect globally if you are not prepared to stand up for them.”
Robinson was asked what he thought about the ugly scenes witnessed in the Oval Office last week between the US President and JD Vance, he said it was “appalling.”
“I thought it was appalling and I think anybody that watched it will have been disappointed because you will always have to-ing and fro-ing in international relations and in diplomatic channels, but actually President Zelensky is a gentleman who has stood at the forefront of his country and their plight over the last three years.
“He is internationally regarded as somebody who has stepped up remarkably in defence of his nation, giving hope where seemingly there was little.
“For such a public spectacle it was disappointing.
“What we can recognise is that in all of these things there will be discussions to be had behind closed doors. That was a very public display of a discussion I don’t think we needed to see.
“I’m glad that things have moved on since, I think the encouragement and the discussions between the UK Government and Ukraine have been important over the weekend.
“The summit that took place yesterday was another important step forward in the support that is available for Ukraine and last night a suggestion that actually the discussions between the US and Ukraine are back on track.”
