Bengaluru: The UK Monday formally launched Defence Partnership–India (DP-I), a special initiative at the ministry level, on the sidelines of Aero India; and bagged a contract to supply MANPADS to the Indian Army.
Announcing DP-I, UK Defence Minister Lord Vernon Coaker opened the UK-India Defence Partnership Pavilion, which marked the establishment of a dedicated programme office within the UK’s Ministry of Defence to serve as a single window system to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation.
The UK and India also agreed to expand collaboration on next-generation weapons with Thales UK and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL). To that effect, Thales UK and BDL have signed a contract to deliver Laser Beam Riding MANPADs (LBRMs), with an initial supply of High Velocity Missiles (StarStreak) and launchers to be delivered later this year.
BDL had already bagged a contract from the Indian Army for the same under emergency procurement. Sources in the defence establishment told ThePrint that the aim is to work on a figure demand of the Indian Army to replace the existing Russian Igla-S systems.
“This contract represents an important next step for UK-Indian defence co-operation in the critical area of air defence,” a statement by the British government said.
Following the signing of this initial LBRM contract, Thales UK and BDL will further collaborate to produce Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM).
Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India, was quoted as saying: “India is taking significant steps in its journey to become Atmanirbhar in its defence capabilities. The UK is really looking forward to working with India as a partner of choice in supporting this ambition: collaborating on defence technologies lies at the heart of this. These are landmark agreements that support our economic growth and joint security.”
Apart from the deal with Thales UK, BDL has also been working with MBDA UK on the installation of a first of its kind Advanced Short-Range Air to Air Missile (ASRAAM) assembly and test facility in Hyderabad.
The UK and India also signed a Statement of Intent to design and develop an Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP) system for India’s next generation Landing Platform Dock (LPD) fleet. As next steps, GE Vernova and BHEL will develop India’s first maritime Land Based Testing Facility.
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)
Also Read: Russia’s push at Aero India—from Su-57 to 5th gen fighter engine & Pantsir air defence system