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Economic Times
22-07-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Missiles, manufacturing, and mutual trust: What Britain must do to strengthen its defence ties with India
TIL Creatives Representative Image Narendra Modi's 2-day visit to Britain to sign the India-Britain FTA starts today. Discussions will take place on the 'next steps' to elevate the comprehensive strategic partnership (CSP) between the two countries. The most significant of these will be on boosting defence industrial cooperation. 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 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), 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 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 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 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) 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) 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 Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. 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Metro
26-06-2025
- Business
- Metro
Putin's chief propagandist issues revenge threat on UK over missile deal
One of Vladimir Putin's chief propagandists has threatened revenge on Britain after Sir Keir Starmer unveiled a new missile deal for Ukraine. As many as 350 highly-agile ASRAAM air defence missiles will be sent, worth £70 million – and funded from the interest on seized Russian assets. Arriving in the Hague, the prime minister said: 'Russia, not Ukraine, should pay the price for Putin's barbaric and illegal war. 'It is only right we use the proceeds from seized Russian assets to ensure Ukraine has the air defense it needs.' Rattling Russia further, he vowed that Britain's 'support will never waver' in the war. The supply of the ASRAAMs was the top subject for Putin's mouthpiece, Vladimir Solovyov, on his Kremlin-funded primetime show on state TV. He said: 'The British [are giving missiles] to Ukraine, and it will be paid for with our frozen interest. What does that mean? 'All British companies that are still operating in Russia in any way have to pay for it. Perhaps British citizens too.' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Estimates vary widely, but the number of British citizens in Russia ranges from around 6,400 to more than 22,000. Solovyov added: 'If we know for a fact that factories are working to supply weapons to the Ukrainian Nazis so that they can shell our cities… '[And] the British are manufacturing drones, like the Baltic states. Based on the Iranian-Israeli conflict, these are all legitimate targets for us.' The Kremlin has been riled by the historic first in using seized funds for direct weapon procurement. The UK government has previously confirmed that £22.7 billion in Russian assets have been frozen under sanctions imposed in response to Russia's full-scale invasion. More Trending The British-made missiles – also known as AIM-132 – were originally made for aerial combat but have since been adapted as ground-launched from UK‑supplied Raven systems – 4×4 Supacat trucks equipped with twin missile rails and sensors. The first delivery by the UK of the system reportedly took place in August 2023, with its operational debut in Ukraine confirmed by October the same year. Footage from the frontline shows the system demolishing Russian drones during nighttime operations. The missiles have a hit rate of between 70% and 90% against helicopters, loitering munitions, cruise‑type weapons and drones. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Pip rebels mulling confidence vote in PM say 'don't threaten us with good time' MORE: Zelensky suits up for Trump meeting and congratulates him on 'successful operation' on Iran MORE: Sleeper cells are lurking in the UK — experts reveal how worried we should be
Daily Mirror
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Putin's 'Doomsday Radio' spews out weird coded messages as NATO leaders meet
Russia's 'Doomsday Radio' began broadcasting a series of cryptic messages as world leaders including Keir Starmer, Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump met at a crucial NATO summit Vladimir Putin's bizarre 'Doomsday Radio' has started broadcasting dozens of mysterious coded messages today as NATO leaders met in The Hague to discuss the war in Ukraine. World leaders including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky and US president Donald Trump gathered for a summit in The Hague today with the European conflict high up on the agenda - and it appears the meeting sparked a reaction from inside the Kremlin. Russia's UVB-76 radio station, also known as 'The Buzzer', was first set up in the Cold War, and is typically activated at moments of high tension on the international stage. Its broadcasts are thought to be related to a strategic communication test involving multiple military units, the start of a nuclear command-and-control exercise, or internal military readiness also might indicate training involving Russia's Strategic Missile Forces (RVSN) or General Staff. But they are not currently decodable without classified keys, and carry no meaningful content to the average listener. The station - and known as Dead Hand Radio or Judgement Day Radio - has existed since the Cold War more than 50 years ago, but its purpose remains classified. One theory is that it is a 'dead man's switch', automatically triggering a military response possibly to nuclear attack. Today's splurge of messages equals the highest number sent in a short period since the end of the Cold War. Among the translations of code words appearing in Russian in today's output are the words 'Narcissus, Blooming, Meticulous, Caviar, Cognac, Sweetness and Lisbon'. Other words were nonsensical. Earlier this week, Doomsday radio broadcast the word Otniatiye - or 'taking away'. In its original Russian, the word mean to take away life, or hope. The station has previously been active this year around the time of telephone calls on the war in Ukraine between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. The signals it broadcasts can be sent without the internet or satellite. Its transmission tower is believed to be located northwest of Moscow, in a military zone classified during the Cold War. NATO countries pledge to spend more at key summit At the summit in the The Hague today, key NATO allies agreed to a significant boost in defence spending in the wake of Russia's military buildup and its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Last night, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that Britain will help bolster Ukraine's air defences by using £70million of seized Russian assets to pay for ASRAAM missiles. He said: " Russia, not Ukraine, should pay the price for Putin's barbaric and illegal war, so it is only right we use the proceeds from seized Russian assets to ensure Ukraine has the air defence it needs. "The security of Ukraine is vital to the security of the UK and the Euro-Atlantic area, and our support will never waiver. "My message to President Putin is clear: Russia needs to stop its indiscriminate attacks on innocent Ukrainian people and return to the negotiating table.'
Daily Mirror
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
UK makes huge move to support Ukraine military and Russian money will fund it
Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that Britain will help bolster Ukraine's air defences by using £70million of seized Russian assets ahead of a crucial NATO summit in The Hague The UK will shore up Ukraine's air defence with hundreds of missiles paid for using £70million from seized Russian assets. The ASRAAM (Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles) missiles have been adapted by RAF engineers so they can be fired from the back of military trucks. Keir Starmer announced yesterday that Kyiv would be given a new package of 350 missiles, which can be fired using UK-provided air defence launchers. It comes as the Prime Minister arrived in The Hague for a critical NATO summit on Tuesday, where the crisis in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine will top the agenda. Mr Starmer said: " Russia, not Ukraine, should pay the price for Putin's barbaric and illegal war, so it is only right we use the proceeds from seized Russian assets to ensure Ukraine has the air defence it needs. "The security of Ukraine is vital to the security of the UK and the Euro-Atlantic area, and our support will never waiver. "My message to President Putin is clear: Russia needs to stop its indiscriminate attacks on innocent Ukrainian people and return to the negotiating table.' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is attending the NATO summit on Wednesday to push for guarantees of further Western aid against Russia. Multiple civilian sites hit Russian air attacks killed at least 24 civilians and injured more than 200 others in Ukraine, officials said on Tuesday. A Russian ballistic missile attack on Dnipro hit multiple civilian sites in the central Ukrainian city around midday, killing 17 people and injuring more than 200 others. And in the nearby town of Samar, an attack killed two people and injured 14, Dnipro's regional administration head Serhii Lysak said. The barrage damaged 19 schools, 10 kindergartens, a vocational school, a music school and a social welfare office, as well as eight medical facilities, according to Dnipro Mayor Borys Filatov. Schools in the reigion are currently closed for the summer holidays. One of the blasts blew out the windows of a passenger train carrying about 500 people, and Mr Filatov declared Wednesday to be an official day of mourning. In a post on Telegram, Zelensky said Russia needs foreign components to build its ballistic missiles - and urged countries to crack down on Moscow's 'schemes' to obtain them. He said: 'Sanctions against Russia must also be significantly strengthened.' Vladimir Putin's forces also shelled residential neighbourhoods and critical infrastructure across Ukraine's southern Kherson region, killing four civilians and wounding at least 11 others, according to Oleksandr Prokudin, head of the regional military administration. According to the most recent UN estimates in February, more than 12,654 civilians have been killed and over 29,392 injured since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. Ukraine has also lost between 60,000 and 100,000 serving military personnel.
