The United Kingdom has signed a $468 million (£350 million) deal to supply the Indian Army with UK-manufactured lightweight multirole missiles, marking a significant deepening of the defense partnership between the two countries.
U.K. Signs $468 Million Deal to Supply India With Missiles
The contract, announced on October 9, 2025, coincided with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to India, where he met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mumbai. The missiles, produced by Thales in Northern Ireland, will support India’s air defense capabilities and secure approximately 700 jobs at the manufacturing facility, which also produces similar missiles for Ukraine.
This deal is part of a broader complex weapons partnership currently under negotiation between the UK and India. Additionally, the UK and India have advanced their cooperation on electric-powered engines for naval ships with a separate deal worth an initial £250 million ($333 million).
India-UK relations have been progressing strongly in 2025, marked by major agreements and strategic collaborations. In May 2025, the two countries concluded a historic Free Trade Agreement (FTA) aimed at doubling bilateral trade to $120 billion by 2030 by eliminating tariffs on key goods and boosting services and innovation exchanges.
In July 2025, during PM Modi’s visit to London, the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) was signed along with the “India-UK Vision 2035,” a strategic blueprint envisioned to deepen economic, technological, educational, and defense cooperation between the two democracies. This vision focuses on sustainable growth, job creation, and security enhancements. The two countries also agreed on a Defence Industrial Roadmap to strengthen defense industry collaboration.
The strengthening India-UK partnership rests on shared democratic values, strategic trust, and robust people-to-people ties, including a well-established Indian diaspora in the UK that acts as a dynamic “living bridge” connecting the two nations economically and culturally. The defense deals, free trade agreement, and joint initiatives signify a new era of comprehensive strategic partnership that promises to bring transformative opportunities to both sides in an uncertain global environment.
Summary Table: Key Elements of India-UK Relations 2025
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Missile Deal Value | $468 million (£350 million) |
| Missile Manufacturer | Thales, Northern Ireland |
| Jobs Supported | 700 jobs at the missile factory |
| Naval Collaboration | £250 million ($333 million) deal on electric-powered engines for naval ships |
| Trade Agreement | India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed May 2025 |
| Trade Target | Double bilateral trade to $120 billion by 2030 |
| Strategic Vision | India-UK Vision 2035 focused on economic growth, defense, technology, and education |
| Defense Roadmap | New Defense Industrial Roadmap signed July 2025 |
| People-to-People Ties | Indian diaspora is a significant economic and cultural connector |
| Leadership | PM Modi and UK PM Keir Starmer actively lead the partnership |
This evolving partnership reflects a shared commitment to growth, innovation, security, and global stability.
