Image Credit: pmindia.gov.in
India, UK Sign Missile Deal Worth £350 Million
India and the United Kingdom have finalized a defence contract worth £350 million (about USD 468 million / ≈ ₹4,136 crore) for the supply of lightweight multirole missiles to the Indian Army. The missiles will be manufactured by Thales at its Northern Ireland facility, which also produces similar systems for Ukraine.
Strategic Importance
The deal is positioned as a step to strengthen India’s missile capabilities and deepen defence cooperation with the UK. While some reports suggested the purchase was aimed at deterring Russian attacks, official statements have not mentioned Russia. Instead, the focus remains on bolstering India’s preparedness and expanding bilateral defence ties.
Next Steps and Challenges
The delivery timeline and integration details have not yet been disclosed. Defence analysts emphasize that the effectiveness of this agreement will depend on execution, timely deployment, and potential offset arrangements that may support India’s defence industry.
