Overview

• The Corps of Army Air Defence signed a contract with Thales UK for the Light Weight Modular Missile system to bolster short‑range air defence and counter‑UAV capability.
• The LMM uses laser beam‑riding guidance, weighs about 13 kg, exceeds a 6 km range and Mach 1.5, and can be deployed in high‑altitude areas.
• The Army said the missile was ordered after Operation Sindoor to detect and destroy high‑value drones and UAVs, including targets with low infrared signatures.
• Reports place the LMM contract at about GBP 350 million, with the deal announcement linked to the Oct 9 Modi–Starmer meeting in Mumbai.
• In a separate Rs 659.47 crore Buy (Indian‑IDDM) contract, an MKU–Medbit consortium will supply night sights for 7.62×51 mm rifles with more than 51% indigenous content, enabling 500 m engagements under starlight and benefiting MSMEs.