India, UK sign $468m-missile deal: All you need to know about Martlets; how it will boost defence

NEW DELHI: India and the UK have signed a £350 million ($468 million) deal under which the Indian Army will receive UK-made missiles.

In a joint statement, the Centre said that the deal 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 missile supply is also expected to directly create over 700 jobs in Northern Ireland, one of the United Kingdom’s four constituent nations alongside England, Wales, and Scotland, the UK Ministry of Defence said on Thursday.

The announcement came on the second and final day of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's first official visit to India, during which he is accompanied by a delegation of 125 business leaders.

Starmer met Prime Minister 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 for India are the same as those currently produced in Belfast for Ukraine.”

According to the statement, the agreement could "pave the way for a broader complex weapons 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.

“The defence deals announced today show how our growing strategic partnership with India will boost UK business and jobs. I am hopeful this will pave the way for a deeper relationship between our two defence industries, particularly in the development of electric engines for naval ships and in air defence,” British Defence Secretary John Healey said. “As we deepen our defence relationship with India, we will harness the UK defence industry as an engine for growth, securing vital jobs in Northern Ireland and throughout the UK.”

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What are Lightweight Multirole Missiles?

The LMMs, also known as Martlets , are lightweight air-to-surface, air-to-air, surface-to-air, and surface-to-surface missiles developed by Belfast-based defence contractor Thales Air Defence. These have been named after the mythical Martlet, a bird that never roosts, and has been taken from the English heraldry.

The LMM was developed from the Starburst surface-to-air missile to meet the UK's "Future Air-to-Surface Guided Weapon (Light)" requirement for the Royal Navy.

These missiles, which the UK is also supplying to Ukraine under a separate deal signed in March, are commonly used for air defense and can strike various types of military platforms including drones and armored vehicles.