Historic £350 Million Missile Deal Seals India-UK Defence Partnership

India and the United Kingdom have cemented a significant defence and industrial partnership following the signing of a £350 million ($468 million) deal for the supply of advanced UK manufactured missiles to the Indian Army. The agreement was finalized during British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's visit to India, where he met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mumbai.

The new government-to-government contract involves the initial supply of Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM) systems, also known as Martlets, which will significantly boost India's air defence capabilities. The missiles, developed by Belfast based defence contractor Thales Air Defence, are compact, laser guided precision weapons designed to counter airborne and surface threats. This procurement is described by New Delhi as being "in the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat" (self-reliant India), supporting a long term collaboration on complex weapons, according to a joint statement released by the two governments.

The deal's economic impact is also considerable for the UK, with the UK Ministry of Defence stating that the contract is expected to secure over 700 jobs in Northern Ireland, where the LMMs and their launchers will be manufactured. British Defence Secretary John Healey praised the development, noting that the deals "show how our growing strategic partnership with India will boost UK business and jobs," and expressed hope that it would pave the way for a deeper relationship between the defence industries.

Beyond the missile procurement, the bilateral defence cooperation saw further advancement. The two countries signed an Implementing Arrangement to progress the next phase of a separate deal, valued at an initial £250 million, focused on collaboration in the development of electric powered propulsion systems for Indian naval ships. Additionally, a new initiative was announced that will see Indian Air Force flying instructors integrated as trainers within the UK's Royal Air Force (RAF). Both Prime Ministers welcomed the intent to finalize a broader Inter Governmental Agreement on the maritime electric propulsion systems, signifying a shared commitment to joint research, co-development, and co-production in advanced technologies. The agreements mark a fresh cornerstone in a relationship that both leaders hope will build a stronger, technologically advanced defence partnership, enhancing stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region.

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