The U.K. has placed a £1.6 billion ($2 billion) order with Thales for over 5,000 air defense missiles to support Ukraine.

The deal, announced after a European leaders’ meeting in London, aims to counter increased Russian missile and drone attacks.

The missiles will be produced in Belfast, creating 200 jobs and supporting 700 more.

Funded through UK Export Finance, the contract is the largest ever for Thales in Belfast, Defense News has reported.

It follows a previous £162 million order and will triple production of the LMM missiles, which have proven effective in defending Ukraine’s civilians and infrastructure.

Written by B.C. Begley