Archive · 26 Aug 2026
India Nears Major UK Martlet Missile Procurement Deal
India wants to buy several hundred Martlet missiles from the United Kingdom.
The two countries are close to signing the final government-to-government agreement.
The missile is small and weighs about 13 kilograms.
Soldiers can fire it from their shoulders, or it can be placed on vehicles, helicopters, ships, or tripods.
It uses a laser beam to guide itself toward its target.
It can attack some vehicles and aircraft up to 6 kilometers away.
The missile may also help countries fight small attack drones without using much more expensive missiles.
Ukraine has ordered more Martlet missiles than any other customer, so India would likely become the second-largest buyer.
India and the United Kingdom are close to signing an agreement for British Lightweight Multirole Missiles.
The Indian order is expected to total several hundred missiles, more than initially planned.
The 13-kilogram Martlet can target vehicles and aerial threats at ranges of up to 6 kilometers.
The missile can be launched by infantry or mounted on vehicles, helicopters, ships, and tripods.
India is expected to become the missile’s second-largest customer after Ukraine.
- Who
- The governments of India and the United Kingdom, with Thales UK manufacturing the missile and Bharat Dynamics Limited involved in related weapons cooperation.
- What
- India is preparing to procure several hundred British Lightweight Multirole Missiles, also known as Martlet missiles.
- When
- The agreement is expected to be signed soon; an earlier memorandum of understanding was announced in October, and related cooperation was agreed in February 2025.
- Where
- The missiles are manufactured at Thales UK’s facility in Northern Ireland and are intended for Indian Army tactical units.
- Why
- The missile can address ground and aerial threats, including drones, at comparatively lower cost than many conventional air-defense interceptors.
- Expected Indian order
- Several hundred missiles
- Missile range
- Up to 6 kilometers
- Missile weight
- 13 kilograms
- Missile speed
- Mach 1.5
- Guidance system
- Laser beam guidance
- Ukraine commitment
- More than 6,000 missiles publicly committed by the United Kingdom, including an announced total of 5,350 missiles and a later addition of 1,000
- Related UK order
- A £36 million order for Lightweight Multirole Missiles was placed in June, specifically highlighting aerial-threat use