Now Reading: India close to signing IGA for Martlet missiles from UK
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India close to signing IGA for Martlet missiles from UK
India and the UK are close to signing an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for the procurement of British Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMMs), also known as Martlet, for the Indian Army's tactical units. The…
India and the UK are close to signing an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for the procurement of British Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMMs), also known as Martlet, for the Indian Army's tactical units. The deal, first announced as a £350 million MoU during PM Modi's visit to the UK last October, has seen the numbers increase significantly since then, according to British officials.
The Martlet, manufactured by Thales UK, is a 13 kg laser-guided missile with a range of 6 km, capable of being fired by infantry soldiers or integrated with vehicles, helicopters, and naval ships. It is designed for urban environments and is increasingly used for countering drones. India is set to become the second largest customer of the missile after Ukraine, which has ordered over 6,000 LMMs from the UK.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The deal signals deepening India-UK defence ties beyond traditional platforms. The Martlet fills a gap in India's short-range air defence, especially against low-cost drones where expensive interceptors like the Barak-8 are uneconomical. Thales has already partnered with Bharat Dynamics Limited for local production of similar missiles. The IGA will likely include technology transfer and co-production clauses, critical for India's Atmanirbhar Bharat push. The Indian Army's next challenge will be integrating the Martlet with existing radars and command systems, and deciding the split between shoulder-fired and vehicle-mounted variants. The final contract value and delivery timelines will be watched closely.
The deal also underscores the UK's pivot towards the Indo-Pacific after Brexit, with India as a key partner. The UK has ordered over 6,000 LMMs for Ukraine, and India's order, though smaller in volume, signals a long-term commitment. The next milestone is the signing of the IGA, expected in the coming weeks.
Source: theprint.in
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
