| New Delhi – UK and India have signed $468 million Missile supply deal under which the Indian Army will receive UK made missiles. Britain said on Thursday it had signed a 350 million pound ($468 million) contract to supply the Indian army with UK-manufactured lightweight missiles, as part of a deepening weapons and defence partnership between the two countries. The announcement came as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, during his first official visit to India, met Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in Mumbai, India’s financial capital. “The contract is set to deliver UK-manufactured Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM) built in Belfast to the Indian Army, representing another significant boost for the UK defence industry and delivering on the Government’s plan for change”, the UK Ministry of Defence said. “It will secure over 700 jobs in Northern Ireland, as the air defence missiles and launchers being manufactured or India are the same as those currently produced in Belfast for Ukraine.” According to the statement, the deal could pave the way for broader complex weapon partnership between the two countries, which is currently under negotiation. In addition, New Delhi and London signed an Implementing Agreement to advance collaboration on electric-powered engines for naval ships. |