India-UK Defence Agreements
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: NIE
Context: India and the UK have signed multiple defence agreements at Aero India 2025, including the launch of Defence Partnership–India (DP-I), collaboration on next-generation weapons, and the establishment of an ASRAAM missile assembly facility in Hyderabad.
Key India-UK Defence Agreements:
• Defence Partnership–India (DP-I):
• Laser Beam Riding MANPADS (LBRM): Thales UK & Bharat Dynamics Ltd. (BDL) signed a contract for STARStreak high-velocity missiles. Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM): Future production collaboration between Thales & BDL. ASRAAM Missile Facility: MBDA UK & BDL to set up India’s first Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) assembly & test centre in Hyderabad.
• Laser Beam Riding MANPADS (LBRM): Thales UK & Bharat Dynamics Ltd. (BDL) signed a contract for STARStreak high-velocity missiles.
• Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM): Future production collaboration between Thales & BDL.
• ASRAAM Missile Facility: MBDA UK & BDL to set up India’s first Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) assembly & test centre in Hyderabad.
• Maritime Defence Cooperation:
• Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP) System: UK & India signed a Statement of Intent to design and develop electric propulsion systems for Indian Navy ships. Land-Based Testing Facility (LBTF): GE Vernova & BHEL to develop India’s first maritime testing facility for future Landing Platform Dock (LPD) fleets by 2030.
• Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP) System: UK & India signed a Statement of Intent to design and develop electric propulsion systems for Indian Navy ships.
• Land-Based Testing Facility (LBTF): GE Vernova & BHEL to develop India’s first maritime testing facility for future Landing Platform Dock (LPD) fleets by 2030.
• Strategic & Economic Impact:
• Boosts Atmanirbhar Bharat: Supports India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing. Creates Jobs: Strengthens bilateral industrial collaboration and adds Indian industries to Thales’ global supply chain. Interoperability: Enhances defence coordination between the two-armed forces.
• Boosts Atmanirbhar Bharat: Supports India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
• Creates Jobs: Strengthens bilateral industrial collaboration and adds Indian industries to Thales’ global supply chain.
• Interoperability: Enhances defence coordination between the two-armed forces.