Archive · 27 Aug 2026
India-UK Defence Ties Near Missile and Propulsion Agreements
India and the United Kingdom are working toward new defence projects.
One project would give India’s Army a missile system called Martlet.
The missiles are made by Thales and are also called Lightweight Multirole Missiles.
They can help defend against aircraft and drones at short distances.
India plans to use them near borders described as volatile.
The proposed purchase would be the second-largest international order for these missiles.
The largest order mentioned is the one routed to Ukraine.
The plans may also help India make and maintain more of the equipment locally.
India and the United Kingdom are close to finalising missile and electric propulsion projects.
The proposed acquisition would procure Thales’s Lightweight Multirole Missiles, also known as the Martlet system, for the Indian Army.
The order would be the second-largest international order for the missiles globally, after the order routed to Ukraine.
The systems are intended to improve very-short-range air defence and counter-drone capabilities along India’s volatile borders.
The projects include pathways for local manufacturing and maintenance support in India, supporting defence indigenisation.
- Who
- The Indian Army, India, the United Kingdom, and Thales are involved in the reported missile project; Ukraine is referenced for comparison.
- What
- India and the United Kingdom are close to finalising missile and electric propulsion projects, including a proposed purchase of Thales’s Lightweight Multirole Missiles.
- When
- The projects are described as close to finalisation; no specific date is given.
- Where
- The missiles are intended for use along India’s volatile borders, with manufacturing and maintenance support planned in India.
- Why
- To strengthen very-short-range air defence and counter-drone capabilities while supporting defence indigenisation.
- Missile system
- Thales’s Lightweight Multirole Missile, also known as the Martlet system
- Proposed user
- Indian Army
- Primary capabilities
- Very-short-range air defence and counter-drone operations
- Order ranking
- The proposed purchase would be the second-largest international order for the missiles globally
- Largest referenced order
- The order routed to Ukraine
- Industrial support
- Pathways toward local manufacturing and maintenance support in India
- Other project
- An electric propulsion project is also described as close to finalisation