U.K. Launches ‘Defence Partnership–India’

• 11 Feb 2025

On 10th February 2025, the United Kingdom formally launched “Defence Partnership–India” (DP-I), a dedicated cell within the U.K. Ministry of Defence aimed at deepening defence collaboration with India.

Key Points

• Dedicated DP-I Cell: The U.K. Defence Ministry established DP-I as a one-stop platform to enhance bilateral defence ties and industrial partnerships.
• Man Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS) & Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM): Thales U.K. and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) signed a contract for the supply of STARStreak high-velocity missiles and launchers. Future collaboration will extend to LMM production.
• ASRAAM Assembly in India: MBDA U.K. and BDL are setting up an Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) assembly and test facility in Hyderabad.
• The missiles will be used in Jaguar and LCA-Mk1A aircraft and manufactured for export.
• Maritime Collaboration: A Statement of Intent (SoI) was signed to design and develop an Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP) system for India’s Navy.
• GE Vernova and BHEL are working on India’s first maritime Land-Based Testing Facility to support Landing Platform Dock (LPD) development by 2030.