Britain has finalized a £350-million deal to supply lightweight multirole missile (LMM) systems to the Indian Army. The agreement was announced during UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to Mumbai and is part of efforts to strengthen a broader complex weapons partnership between the two nations.
Details of the Missile Supply
The contract involves the delivery of air defence missiles and launchers manufactured by Thales in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The deal will support India’s air defence capabilities and aims to meet both current and future requirements of India’s defence ministry.
The agreement also benefits the British defence industry, securing around 700 jobs at the Thales factory, which currently produces the same systems for Ukraine. The deal is seen as paving the way for long-term collaboration on complex weapons between the UK and India.
Strategic Context
The announcement coincided with joint UK-India naval exercises, including the Konkan 2025 exercise off India’s western coast, as Starmer and Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed defence and security cooperation. The UK described India as a key strategic partner, with both governments negotiating an expanded complex weapons partnership.
Electric Propulsion Collaboration
Alongside the missile deal, the UK and India signed an implementing arrangement for collaboration on electric propulsion systems for naval ships, valued at £250 million ($333 million). Discussions on this technology have been ongoing for several years.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that the two leaders reviewed broader defence sector cooperation, including the implementation of a defence industrial roadmap unveiled in July.
Strengthening UK-India Defence Ties
UK officials, including Defence Secretary John Healey, emphasized that the agreements mark a deepening strategic partnership. The collaboration focuses on air defence systems and the development of electric engines for naval vessels, reflecting the growing defence relationship between the two countries.
