MUMBAI: Britain said on Thursday it had signed a 350 million-pound ($468 million) contract to supply the Indian army with U.K.-manufactured lightweight missiles, as part of a deepening weapons and defense partnership between the two countries.
The announcement came as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mumbai, where the two leaders highlighted the potential for stronger commercial links following their months-old trade deal.
In its statement on the defense deal, the British government said the new contract for Lightweight Multirole Missiles, made by Thales in Northern Ireland, would secure 700 jobs at a factory that currently produces the same weapons for Ukraine.
“The deal paves the way for a broader complex weapons partnership between the U.K. and India, currently under negotiation between the two governments,” the statement said.
Starmer has, over the past 12 months, thrown his support behind Britain’s defense sector to spur economic growth, pledging to raise spending in line with NATO targets and focusing on winning exports, such as a recent $13.5 billion frigate contract with Norway.
Britain also said on Thursday it reached a new milestone with India on a collaboration for electric-powered engines for naval ships, as both countries signed the next phase of the deal, worth an initial 250 million pounds.
