The UK-India strategic partnership has taken another major step
forward with the formal launch of Defence Partnership – India
(DP-I) and the signing of several defence agreements at Aero
India 2025.
Announcing DP-I, UK Defence Minister Lord opened the UK-India Defence
Partnership Pavilion, establishing a dedicated programme office
within the UK's Ministry of Defence that will serve as a one-stop
shop for strengthening bilateral defence collaboration between
the two countries.
The UK and India have today agreed to expand their collaboration
on next-generation weapons with Thales and Bharat Dynamics
Limited (BDL).
Thales and BDL have
signed a contract that will deliver Laser Beam Riding MANPADs
(LBRM), with an
initial supply of High Velocity Missiles (STARStreak) and
launchers to be delivered this year. This contract represents an
important next step for UK-Indian defence co-operation in the
critical area of air defence.
Lord , UK Defence Minister,
said:
It was a pleasure to visit India and continue to grow our already
strong defence relationship. Our Defence Partnership and the
UK-India Defence Partnership Pavilion will help strengthen our
cooperation further, supporting economic growth in both our
countries and India's Atmanirbhar ambition.
This event showcases our collaboration in next generation
capability, and the massive potential the UK and India can unlock
by working together.
Following the signing of this initial LBRM contract, both Thales and
BDL will further
collaborate to produce Lightweight Multirole Missiles
(LMM). This
develops and expands the partnership between Indian and British
industry, laying the foundation for BDL and Indian industry to form
an integral part of Thales' global supply chain. It will address
mutual security concerns, create jobs in both countries and
enable interoperability by both armies.
, British High Commissioner
to India, said:
India is taking significant steps in its journey to become
Atmanirbhar in its defence capabilities. The UK is really looking
forward to working with India as a partner of choice in
supporting this ambition: collaborating on defence technologies
lies at the heart of this. These are landmark agreements that
support our economic growth and joint security.
In a separate development, MBDA UK and BDL have been working together
on the installation of a first of its kind Advanced Short-Range
Air to Air Missile (ASRAAM) assembly
and test facility in Hyderabad, arming current fleet of India's
fighter jets as well as exporting to the world.
On the maritime front, the UK and India have signed a Statement
of Intent to design and develop an Integrated Full Electric
Propulsion (IFEP) system for
India's next generation Landing Platform Dock (LPD) fleet. As next steps, GE
Vernova and BHEL are working to develop India's first maritime
Land Based Testing Facility to deliver LPD in the water by 2030.
The strengthening of UK-India partnership will directly support
India's ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat' ambition and deliver the UK
Government's growth agenda and Plan for Change.
Further information
-
Free-to-use high resolution images of the UK delegation at
Aero India will be uploaded online: www.flickr.com/photos/ukinindia.
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The British companies at Aero India 2025 are Rolls Royce, BAE
Systems, MBDA UK, Thales UK, GE Vernova, Leonardo,
Strongfield Technologies, ASL, SEKO Logistics, Jaguar
Engineering Centre of Excellence, Aviation Defence Supplies
Ltd and Ricardo.
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Following the signing of the LBRM contract both Thales
UK and BDL will
further collaborate to co-produce Lightweight Multirole
Missiles with BDLforming an integral part
of the Thales supply chain, increasing manufacturing capacity
for global export.
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UK Defence invested £69 million to secure Thales UK supply
chain for key components used in the manufacture of missiles
in 2024.
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The landmark maritime electric propulsion capability transfer
will ensure self-reliance in the power and propulsion of the
Indian Navy's next generation fleets.
