European complex defense systems manufacturer Thales and Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) have signed a deal to deliver cutting-edge laser beam riding man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) for India.

Often referred to as Laser Beam Riding MANPADs, or LBRM, these systems include high velocity missiles (popularly known as STARStreak) and launchers, and mark a major milestone in the United Kingdom (UK)–India defense partnership.

The STARStreak system is the fastest in its class, reaching speeds over Mach 3, It is designed to counter late-unmasking threats, including fighter aircraft, attack helicopters, and drones.

The initial supply is expected this year, paving the way for both firms to jointly develop additional capabilities, including lightweight multirole missiles (LMM), a statement said.

The deal was announced at the opening of the UK-India Defense Partnership Pavilion at Aero India 2025, where UK defense minister Lord Vernon Coaker introduced a dedicated program office within the UK ministry of defense to serve as a one-stop shop for bilateral defense collaboration.

The new office is intended to streamline cooperation between the two countries and align with India’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) vision—while also supporting the UK government’s plan for economic growth and global partnerships.

India is taking significant steps in its journey to become Atmanirbhar in its defense capabilities. The UK is really looking forward to working with India as a partner of choice in supporting this ambition: collaborating on defense technologies lies at the heart of this. These are landmark agreements that support our economic growth and joint security,” Lindy Cameron, the British high commissioner to India, said in a statement.

Strengthening economic, strategic ties

According to the agreement, Thales and BDL will expand their partnership beyond LBRM to co-produce LMM. This move is designed to support India’s security priorities and add more jobs and skills in both nations. It further cements Indian industry’s place within Thales’ global supply chain and showcases how the UK and India are working together on next-generation defense technologies.

Coaker emphasized the importance of the partnership, highlighting how deeper defense ties can boost economic opportunities and security for both countries.

In parallel with the Thales-BDL tie-up, leading European missile systems company MBDA and Bharat Dynamics are setting up a facility in Hyderabad to assemble and test advanced short-range air-to-air missiles (ASRAAM). These missiles will arm India’s fighter jets and potentially be exported worldwide.

On the naval front, the UK and India have signed a statement of intent to develop an integrated full electric propulsion (IFEP) system for India’s next-generation landing platform dock vessels.

As part of that agreement, General Electric Vernova and Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) aim to create India’s first land-based testing facility for maritime electric propulsion, with plans to have a new landing platform dock in the water by 2030.

The British companies at Aero India 2025 are Rolls Royce, BAE Systems, MBDA UK, Thales UK, GE Vernova, Leonardo, Strongfield Technologies, ASL, SEKO Logistics, Jaguar Engineering Centre of Excellence, Aviation Defence Supplies Ltd and Ricardo.

UK Defence invested £69 million to secure Thales UK supply chain for key components used in the manufacture of missiles in 2024.