India, UK Advance Strategic Defence Ties With $800 Million Missile And Naval Electric Engine Projects

In a significant step towards strengthening bilateral defence ties, the United Kingdom on Thursday (9 October) announced two landmark agreements with India totalling around £600 million ($800 million), news agency Reuters reported.

During UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to Mumbai for talks with PM Narendra Modi, the UK confirmed a £350 million ($470 million) contract to supply the Indian Army with UK-manufactured lightweight missiles, underscoring the growing security partnership between the two nations.

Additionally, both sides signed the next phase of a £250 million ($330 million) collaboration on electric-powered naval engines, marking a major milestone in joint efforts to advance sustainable maritime technology.

Addressing a joint press conference after the bilateral meeting, PM Modi said that the India and UK are moving towards "defence co-production and connecting the defence industries of both countries".

In a joint statement, the two leaders announced their intent "to finalize an India – UK Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) on cooperation in developing maritime electric propulsion systems for Indian Naval platforms".

"Both leaders also announced the agreement to proceed via government to government route on an initial supply of Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM) systems. This will further support India’s air defence capabilities and, in the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat, meet the current and future requirements of the Indian Ministry of Defence, and support a long-term collaboration on complex weapons between the two countries," the statement said.

The two leaders also welcomed progress on an arrangement that will see Indian Air Force Qualified Flying Instructors integrated into UK Royal Air Force training, alongside an agreement that will facilitate our strong training and education relationship.

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