India Secures $468 Million Missile Deal with UK to Boost Air Defence

India has inked a $468 million defence deal with the United Kingdom to acquire Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM), widely known as Martlets. The acquisition is expected to significantly enhance India’s air defence and multi-target engagement capabilities.

The agreement was finalized during British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s official visit to India, which included high-level meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a delegation of more than 120 UK business leaders. The deal underscores the growing strategic and defence partnership between the two countries.

The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that production of the missiles will take place in Belfast, Northern Ireland, creating more than 700 jobs locally. Martlets, known for their adaptability, are capable of engaging aerial, ground, and lightly-armored targets, making them a versatile addition to India’s defence arsenal. The missiles have also seen operational deployment in global conflicts, highlighting their reliability.

British Defence Secretary John Healey emphasized that this deal not only strengthens India’s defence infrastructure but also supports the UK’s defence industry. Ongoing talks between India and the UK aim to expand cooperation into other areas, including next-generation naval technologies and electric-powered propulsion systems.

Developed by Thales Air Defence, the Lightweight Multirole Missile is an upgraded successor of the Starburst surface-to-air missile. Its multi-role design ensures flexibility across various combat scenarios, aligning with India’s long-term goal of enhancing domestic and international defence collaboration.

The $468 million Martlet deal marks a significant milestone in India-UK defence ties, promising enhanced security readiness and stronger industrial partnerships on both sides.