UK Signs $468 Million Missile Deal With India to Boost Defence Partnership

UK Signs $468 Million Missile Deal With India to Boost Defence Partnership

 October 9, 2025

MUMBAI: The United Kingdom has signed a major £350 million ($468 million) defence agreement with India to supply lightweight multirole missiles, marking a significant step forward in strengthening military and economic ties between the two nations.

The announcement came during British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s official visit to India, where he held bilateral talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai. The two leaders highlighted their shared vision of deepening strategic cooperation and expanding trade links.

Strengthening Defence and Industrial Collaboration

According to the UK government, the new deal for Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMMs) — manufactured by Thales in Northern Ireland — will support over 700 jobs at the company’s facility, which also produces similar weapons for Ukraine.

“This agreement opens the door to a broader and more advanced defence partnership between the UK and India,” the British government said in a statement. Negotiations are already underway for additional joint projects in the complex weapons sector.

The partnership reflects Starmer’s broader policy of boosting the UK’s defence exports and supporting high-skilled manufacturing jobs. In recent months, Britain has also secured major international contracts, including a $13.5 billion frigate deal with Norway.

Expanding Naval and Green Technology Cooperation

In addition to the missile agreement, both countries have signed the next phase of a £250 million deal for electric-powered naval engines, further strengthening collaboration in sustainable defence technologies.

Prime Minister Modi praised the growing synergy between the two nations, saying, “India’s dynamism and the UK’s expertise create a unique partnership built on trust and innovation.”

Starmer added that his visit aimed to “double down on the trade and investment potential” between the two countries, predicting thousands of new high-skilled jobs in cutting-edge sectors like technology, clean energy, and defence.

Joint Commitments on Innovation and Sustainability

Following the talks, both governments announced new initiatives, including:

• An India-UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre

• A Joint AI Research Centre

• A Critical Minerals Industry Guild to strengthen global supply chains

• Joint investments in climate tech startups and offshore wind energy

• A health research collaboration to promote innovation in life sciences

Addressing Global and Strategic Differences

While the visit focused on cooperation, both sides acknowledged differences on some international issues. After Prime Minister Modi wished Russian President Vladimir Putin a happy birthday earlier this week, Starmer remarked lightheartedly that he would not be doing the same, reaffirming Britain’s strong stance in support of Ukraine.

Nevertheless, UK officials emphasized respect for India’s strategic independence, noting that the two nations remain committed to expanding their economic and defence ties despite differing global alignments.

Education and People-to-People Links

In a move expected to enhance bilateral cultural and educational collaboration, two UK universities have been granted approval to establish new campuses in India. The UK government said this step will “expand British educational influence abroad while easing migration pressure at home.”

Meanwhile, Modi announced that Indian Air Force instructors will serve as trainers with the Royal Air Force (RAF) under a new military training cooperation agreement, reflecting growing defence trust between the two countries.

Over the past two decades, India has diversified its defence procurement, moving beyond its traditional reliance on Russia to partner with nations such as France, Israel, the U.S., and now the UK.