UK and India Announce £350 Million Defence Contract

The United Kingdom has agreed to a defence contract with India worth £350 million (₹4,154 crore), as per recent reports. Under this agreement, the Indian Army will receive Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMMs). These missiles will be manufactured in Belfast, Northern Ireland, at a factory that currently produces similar weapons for Ukraine.

The contract is expected to secure 700 jobs at the Belfast facility. Thales, the manufacturer, will handle production of the missiles. The UK government said the deal could lead to further collaboration on complex weapons systems between India and the UK.

Visit of the UK Prime Minister

The announcement was made during UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s first official visit to India. He met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mumbai. Their discussions focused on defence, trade, and technology cooperation.

Trade Agreement Context

The visit follows the signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) earlier this year. The trade deal is expected to reduce import costs, create jobs, and increase trade between India and the UK. The UK delegation accompanying the Prime Minister was the largest ever to visit India.

Defence Cooperation

The UK has been focusing on increasing defence exports and aligning spending with NATO targets. Recent deals include a $13.5 billion frigate contract with Norway. India and the UK also signed a follow-up agreement on electric-powered engines for naval ships, initially worth £250 million.

Both leaders highlighted shared values such as democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. They noted that cooperation between India and the UK contributes to stability amid global uncertainty.

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Conclusion

The £350 million defence deal will provide missiles to the Indian Army and support jobs in Northern Ireland. It forms part of wider cooperation between India and the UK in defence, technology, and trade.

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