The governments of India and Britain have signed a big defense agreement. According to this agreement, Britain will now supply lightweight multirole missiles to the Indian Army. This defense deal of $ 468 million (about Rs 3,884 crore) took place in India’s financial capital Mumbai during the meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the second and last day of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s first visit to India.

British Defense Ministry issued statement after agreement with India

The British Defense Ministry has issued a statement on Thursday (October 9, 2025) regarding this defense agreement. Britain’s Defense Ministry has termed this agreement as important for the deepening strategic relations of its defense industry with India. The ministry said, ‘Under this agreement, Low Weight Multirole Missiles (LMM) manufactured in Belfast, UK, will be supplied to the Indian Army, which gives a significant boost to the UK defense industry.’

These live-weight multirole missiles, also called Martlets, are air-to-air, surface-to-air and surface-to-surface missiles.

More than 700 jobs will be protected in Britain due to the agreement with India

The ministry said, ‘This defense deal will secure more than 700 jobs in Northern Ireland, because the air defense missiles and launchers being made for India are the same ones that Belfast is currently making for Ukraine.’

According to the British Defense Ministry, this agreement can pave the way for a comprehensive complex arms partnership between India and Britain, for which talks are currently going on between the two countries.

Why is this defense agreement important for India?,

This defense agreement with Britain regarding light-weight multirole missile is very important for India. Although India already has a variety of missiles, the modern, light and multirole missiles received from Britain will help the Indian Army to respond immediately during any possible attack. These light-weight multirole missiles can be used both on land and sea. Due to which it will further increase the strategic flexibility of the Indian Armed Forces.

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