India Signs $580 Million Deal with UK for Advanced Air Defence Missiles

India has cemented a significant defence acquisition deal with the United Kingdom, signing an agreement valued at approximately Rs 4,136 crore (around £350 million or $468 million) for the procurement of advanced Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM) for its armed forces. This landmark deal was announced during the visit of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to India, underscoring a rapidly deepening strategic and defence-industrial partnership between the two nations.

The missiles procured for the Indian Army are particularly noteworthy as they are identical to those currently being manufactured and supplied to Ukraine to bolster its air defence capabilities against Russian aggression. This commonality in procurement highlights the proven battlefield effectiveness and modern technology of the system. The LMMs, also known as Martlets, are versatile, precision-guided weapons designed for short-range air defence and can be deployed from various platforms on land, sea, and air.

Key Technology and Capabilities

Manufactured by Thales Group at its facility in Belfast, Northern Ireland, the Lightweight Multirole Missile system is a highly effective, cutting-edge solution for tackling aerial threats, including drones and armoured vehicles. Each missile weighs approximately 13 kg, boasts a range exceeding 6 km, and can travel at a speed of over Mach 1.5. A key feature is its precision laser beam riding guidance system, which ensures high accuracy while minimizing the risk of collateral damage.

The deal is a significant boost for the UK’s defence industry, with the manufacturing contract expected to secure over 700 jobs in Northern Ireland. For India, the acquisition is a strategic move to enhance its short-range air defence capabilities and aligns with the government’s broader push for defence modernization and self-reliance under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.

Broader Strategic Partnership

Beyond the LMM acquisition, the two countries also agreed to finalize an inter-governmental agreement, initially valued at Rs 2,956 crore (approximately £250 million), to advance collaboration on electric-powered engines for Indian naval ships. This initiative focuses on the co-design, co-creation, and co-production of Integrated Electric Propulsion (IEP) systems for future Indian Navy vessels, marking a major step in technology transfer and co-production.

The UK Ministry of Defence noted that the missile agreement is instrumental in “paving the way for a broader complex weapons partnership” between the UK and India, a framework that is currently under negotiation. Both Prime Ministers hailed the defence deals as tangible proof of their commitment to transform their strategic partnership, moving towards joint defence co-production and closer ties between their respective defence industries.

This new military cooperation signals a clear alignment in strategic interests and a desire to boost domestic defence manufacturing in India while leveraging proven UK technology. The deployment of the same missile technology used to deter Russian attacks in Ukraine reflects a shared confidence in the system’s ability to counter modern military threats, positioning it as a cornerstone of India’s updated air defence architecture