Missiles, manufacturing, and mutual trust: What Britain must do to strengthen its defence ties with India
Britain's June 2025 Strategic Defence Review emphasises a 'Nato First' but not a 'Nato only' policy. While there is to be no 'tilt' towards the Indo-Pacific, hallmark of the previous Conservative government, the Keir Starmer government seeks to continue to develop the bilateral defence relationship. This is emphasised by the June National Security Strategy that states that 'India is a country with which we seek a genuine strategic partnership, reflecting its growing importance in the international system'.
Bilateral defence cooperation through investments includes next-gen air defence weapons. These include the start of delivery of high-velocity STARStreak very short-range air defence (VSHORAD) missiles and launchers, and collaboration to establish an advanced short-range air-to-air missile (ASRAAM) assembly and testing facility in Hyderabad. India sources only 3% of its arms and equipment from Britain. The last major British platform sale to India was the second tranche of Hawk advanced jet trainers ($1 bn) 15 years ago, followed by purchase of ASRAAM missiles ($0.4 bn) 11 years ago.India-UK defence industrial cooperation can be boosted through several changes. A bilateral G2G agreement that India favours, but Britain does not have. Recent purchases of French Rafale and Rafale-Marine fighter jets, American M777 ultra-light howitzers and MQ-9B predator drones, Russian S-400 missile defence systems, and Israeli Heron UAVs are all G2G direct imports. French, Russian and Israeli companies have also localised production within a government wraparound, aligning with India's goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence.
France's Naval Group has built Scorpene submarines at Mazagon docks. Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has set up a production line for Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighter jets at HAL, Bengaluru. Russian BrahMos missile JV and Israeli Barak-8 medium-range surface-to-air missile (MRSAM) partnership exemplify joint development of weapon systems in India. British defence companies are denied these opportunities.
It is less about platform sales and more about technology transfers (ToT), co-design, co-development and co-production to build long-term indigenous capabilities. France's Safran and HAL are collaborating to co-design and produce new-generation helicopter engines for the Indian multi-role helicopter (IMRH) and deck-based version (DBMRH) for the navy. Spanish arm of Airbus has partnered with Tata on the C-295 transport aircraft programme to set up the first private sector final assembly line (FAL) for military aircraft in India. America's General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin, in partnership with Raytheon, are exploring co-production arrangements for the Stryker infantry carrier vehicle (ICV) and Javelin anti-tank guided missile (ATGM), respectively.France, the US, Russia and Israel have become India's top strategic defence partners as they are willing to share technology and develop local partnerships, something the British government and defence companies have been hesitant to do.War in Ukraine, and opportunities in other profitable 'low risk' defence markets, have reduced British business appetite to engage with India. Defence companies often view India as a 'high risk' country to do business in. The local defence acquisition policy, DAP 2020, heavily favours procurement from Indian firms. Challenges posed by restricted FDI, high indigenous content and stringent IP requirements often make foreign OEM bids unviable and equal partnerships difficult.Yet, Sweden's Saab has been granted the first-ever approval for 100% FDI to manufacture the Carl-Gustaf M4 shoulder-fired weapon system. Next-gen India-Britain defence collaboration may involve smaller, deeptech, tier-1 companies.British defence firms should see India not simply as a market but as a strategic partner in global supply and talent chains. Lockheed Martin plans to set up a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility for 12 C-130J transport aircraft operated by IAF. This, along with its existing JV with Tata to manufacture C-130J tail assemblies, positions it favourably for the medium transport aircraft (MTA) programme.Similarly, France's Dassault recently announced the setting up of an MRO, and has partnered with Tata to produce Rafale fuselages in India, positioning itself well for the multi-role fighter aircraft (MRFA) programme.Britain could also offer collaboration opportunities that others cannot. The recent announcement permitting foreign defence OEMs to participate in India's 5th-gen advanced medium combat aircraft (Amca) programme alongside Indian partners could be a game changer. Future success requires deepening mutual trust between the two governments, and balancing India's self-reliance goals with Britain's business interests. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of www.economictimes.com.) Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. Apple has a new Indian-American COO. What it needs might be a new CEO.
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The Hindu
29 minutes ago
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‘Civil society globally did a fantastic job in supporting Gaza; but governments in West are evil'
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Where does this stand in the present-day? The ICJ, as you know, is a court for the states. Since January 2015, we have been trying our best and have invested in making a case move at the ICC. But, there was an incredible amount of political pressure from the U.S., especially from the then Donald Trump-led administration. Penalties were warned on anyone who would try to bring the U.S. or Israel to the ICC, at any political level. This lasted till March 2021, when the ICC chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, decided to open an investigation. However, when Karim Khan took over as the new chief prosecutor of the ICC, he did not move anywhere. If I may interrupt, can you elaborate on why things did not move after Karim Khan took over? We do not know, but he was talking about restructuring the court, and the investigation into Palestine and budget deficits, among others. His priorities were very confusing to us, and he refused to meet us, even in principle, for a long period of time. When the October 7, 2023, attacks took place in Israel, we tried to meet Khan on numerous occasions. He already had the decision made by Fatou Bensouda to go ahead with the investigation. All Khan had to do was to ensure the investigation went ahead, but he did not do that. He continued to refuse a meeting with us, including with his investigative team. That is when we decided to think of the ICJ, and to open the dialogue channels with Ireland and South Africa, and the latter was open to the idea. We were lucky that South Africa…took over the case at the ICJ and challenged Israel while accusing the latter of the most serious crime of genocide. Coming back to Karim Khan, there has been recent news that he was reportedly warned to be 'destroyed', along with the ICC, if the arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant were not withdrawn. As a human rights lawyer, how do you perceive this? Despite the first Trump-led administration deciding that it would sanction anyone who tried to demand accountability [from the U.S. or Israel], Bensouda was incredibly courageous to challenge that. She formed the investigative body and had a meeting with us, and the investigation was simply supposed to proceed. We have documented war crimes dating back to 2014 – including crimes against humanity and persecution. However, after Khan took over, he refused to meet. It is very strange that a prosecutor, and his team, who cannot visit the place [Gaza], had no interest in meeting the lawyers who had documentation of the situation. Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine erupted. Soon after, he opened an office in Kyiv and began the investigation in Ukraine with 37 investigators. But, he did not move with respect to our file. We warned them [Khan and his team] after the October 7th attacks that there is obvious evidence of plans to carry out a genocide in Gaza. Still, they did not want to meet or listen. Only after making the case at the ICJ did Khan ask to meet us, and we were reluctant. I told Khan that he was partly responsible for the blood, pain and suffering of Gaza, after October 7th. Maybe if Khan had held any Israelis accountable, according to the files he had, then they [Israel] would not have thought of doing genocide. He promised to move forward, but only after he went to Israel and met the Israeli victims… Later, he delivered the arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant, but is that enough? These warrants are related to starvation and food, and not to genocide. Do you feel that Karim has failed you [and the people of Gaza]? Definitely. By waiting two years after taking over [to initiate action], he failed us… I do not want more than what he did for Ukraine. In one year, he had a warrant against Putin. I am damn sure that if Israel had been informed that they could be held accountable, they would have thought many times before doing what they are doing now… This is the most well-documented conflict in history, this is a genocide that was broadcast and live-streamed, and the world has been watching it? Speaking of war crimes, do you feel that the world and the media has turned its back on Gaza? I think the civil society, globally, did a fantastic job on [supporting] Gaza. I am very proud that the crème-de-la-crème of American universities and the generation of tomorrow stood fair, and they tried their best to voice the voiceless. They were able to speak truth to power. This includes people in London, Tokyo, Delhi and Paris, among others. It is obvious, the solidarity and support for Palestine. Our problem is not with the people…but the government's, in the U.S. and Europe, are evil. How can they support a criminal, belligerent occupation, and call a genocide a right to self-defence? 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Do you ever plan to return to Gaza, given that there is an alleged threat to your life? Definitely, that is the first thing on my agenda. I am a deep-rooted Gazan, my family has lived in Gaza for the last seven centuries. I chose to be in Gaza, even when I was offered work in places across the world. I know that Gaza is not the most beautiful place in the world, but that is where I belong and feel my humanity. And there is a cause and case that I am working for. I have a team in Gaza, 45 of them, they continue to document starvation, bombings, killings and displacement. We have lost three of our staff members so far, and many of our staff members have also lost their family members… Not a for second will I comprise on returning to Gaza, no matter what the price will be.
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29 minutes ago
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France to recognise Palestinian State at UN in September; President Macron says ‘there is no alternative'
In a major geopolitical development, French President Emmanuel Macron has declared that France will formally recognise the State of Palestine at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September. The announcement, made on Thursday evening via a post on X (formerly Twitter), positions France to become the first major Western power to take such a step, despite mounting international tensions and objections from key allies. In his message, Macron affirmed: 'True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine. I will make this solemn announcement at the United Nations general assembly next September.' The French president also shared a letter addressed to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, confirming his decision and outlining the broader intentions behind the move. Macron emphasised that his aim was to revive the two-state solution and bolster peace in a region increasingly consumed by violence and humanitarian catastrophe. Macron stressed the urgent need to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza, saying: 'The urgent priority today is to end the war in Gaza and rescue the civilian population. We must finally build the State of Palestine, ensure its viability and enable it, by accepting its demilitarisation and fully recognising Israel, to contribute to the security of all in the Middle East.' The decision comes amid rising humanitarian concerns. Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), revealed that some frontline aid workers in Gaza are "fainting from hunger", underscoring the escalating crisis. With truce talks between Israel and Hamas stalled and starvation spreading, pressure on the international community to act has grown considerably. The move has sparked fierce condemnation from Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced France's decision, warning: 'France's decision rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became — a launch pad to annihilate Israel, not to live in peace beside it. Let's be clear: the Palestinians do not seek a state alongside Israel; they seek a state instead of Israel.' The United States, too, is expected to voice disapproval. A leaked diplomatic cable from June revealed that Washington opposed any unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state. France's decision may further strain transatlantic relations as the Biden administration continues to support Israel's security concerns. French resident Macron's decision follows months of internal deliberation within the French government. Officials had initially planned to announce the move during a high-level UN conference co-hosted with Saudi Arabia in June. However, that summit was postponed due to the brief Israel-Iran air war and closed regional airspace. The conference has since been rescheduled as a ministerial event for 28–29 July in New York, with a second, more senior meeting planned on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September. French diplomats say Macron's early announcement is meant to provide a clear diplomatic framework for upcoming talks with the nearly 40 foreign ministers attending next week's event. Despite resistance from allies including the UK and Canada, France has remained resolute. Macron's team is hopeful that the move will encourage other hesitant nations to follow suit and reignite momentum behind the two-state solution. The Palestinian Authority welcomed France's announcement warmly. Hussein al-Sheikh, vice-president of the Palestinian Authority, wrote on X: 'Macron's decision reflects France's commitment to international law and its support for the Palestinian people's rights to self-determination and the establishment of our independent state.' Saudi Arabia praised the announcement as a 'historic' step. The Saudi foreign ministry stated: 'The kingdom praises this historic decision, which reaffirms the international community's consensus on the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state.' Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, whose country recognised Palestinian statehood earlier in 2024, also welcomed Macron's move. In the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced he would speak with German and French leaders on Friday about joint efforts to halt the violence in Gaza. He added that a ceasefire would 'put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state.' Other European nations including Ireland, Norway, Slovenia, and Spain have already recognised Palestinian statehood in recent months as the humanitarian toll in Gaza grows and international outrage mounts.
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First Post
29 minutes ago
- First Post
France to recognise Palestinian state, Netanyahu calls move 'reward for terror'
President Emmanuel Macron said that a formal announcement on the same would be made at a United Nations General Assembly session read more French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that the country will officially recognise a Palestinian state in September, angering many Israeli leaders. The president said that a formal announcement on the same would be made at a United Nations General Assembly session. 'The urgent need today is for the war in Gaza to end and for the civilian population to be rescued. Peace is possible. We need an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and massive humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza,' Macron wrote. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While Palestinian leaders and Hamas welcomed the move, it drew strong condemnation from Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called it a 'reward for terror'. Macron said that following the recognition of the Palestinian state, focus should be on the militarisation of Hamas. The president attached a letter addressed to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas confirming his decision. 'The French people want peace in the Middle East. It is our responsibility — as French citizens, alongside Israelis, Palestinians, and our European and international partners — to prove that peace is possible,' Macron said. Consistent with its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine. I will make this solemn announcement before the United Nations General Assembly this coming September.… — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 24, 2025 Refresh for updates.
