The UK has signed a contract worth 350 million pounds ($468 million) to supply light missiles of its own production to the Indian army, reports "Reuters", reports News.bg.
The agreement is part of a deepening partnership in the field of arms and defense between the two countries.
The news came as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is visiting his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in Mumbai, where the two welcomed the potential of trade relations from a trade deal they concluded months ago.
The British government said the new contract for light multi-purpose missiles, manufactured by Thales in Northern Ireland, will provide 700 jobs at a factory that currently produces the same weapons for Ukraine.
"The deal paves the way for a broader comprehensive arms partnership between the UK and India, which is currently under negotiation between the two governments," the statement added.
Over the past 12 months, Starmer has championed the British defense sector in a bid to drive higher economic growth, pledging to increase spending in line with NATO targets, as well as focusing on winning exports, such as the recent $13.5 billion frigate contract with Norway.
The UK also said today it had reached a new stage with India on an agreement on electric motors for naval ships, as the two countries signed the next phase of an initial £250 million deal.