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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Prime Minister Narendra Modi
In a significant boost to India’s defence preparedness, India and UK have finalised a ₹4,154 crore government-to-government agreement for the supply of Martlet Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMMs) to the Indian Army.
The deal was announced during UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to Mumbai, where he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in trade, security, and defence.
The contract, signed with Thales UK, marks one of the most important milestones in India-UK defence relations in recent years.
In an official post on X (formerly Twitter), the UK Ministry of Defence said:
“The deal paves the way for a broader complex weapons partnership between the UK and India, currently under negotiation between the two governments.”
The Ministry further added that the contract would sustain over 700 jobs in Northern Ireland, where Thales manufactures the missile systems.
What is LMM (Lightweight Multirole Missile)?
The Martlet, also known as the Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM), is a laser-guided precision weapon developed by Thales UK.
Weighing just 13 kilograms, it is designed to engage multiple types of threats including drones, light armoured vehicles, fast attack crafts, and low-flying aircraft.
With a range of up to 6 kilometres and a top speed exceeding Mach 1.5, the Martlet can be launched from vehicles, helicopters, naval vessels, or shoulder-mounted systems, offering unmatched flexibility in modern combat scenarios.
Its advanced inertial navigation and semi-active laser guidance allow it to track and hit small, agile targets with high accuracy. The missile has also proven its effectiveness in Ukraine, where it was used to intercept aerial targets during active operations.
Why the India-UK Defence Deal Matters
For India, this deal is more than just a weapons purchase — it’s a strategic step towards enhancing battlefield precision and diversifying defence partnerships.
The Martlet missiles will fill a crucial gap between short-range rockets and heavier missile systems, providing a cost-effective yet powerful tactical solution for the Army.
It also supports India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) initiative by opening the door for technology transfer and future joint production opportunities with the UK. On the other hand, for Britain, this agreement reinforces its presence in the Indo-Pacific region and strengthens its partnership with one of the world’s largest defence markets.
Experts believe the deal could pave the way for deeper industrial cooperation, including co-development of next-generation weapon systems under a proposed “Complex Weapons Partnership.”