Sir Keir Starmer has struck a £350m missile deal to supply India with air defence missiles.
The missiles will be made in Northern Ireland, in a move that the Ministry of Defence says will secure more than 700 jobs.
Sir Keir is holding a press conference that was delayed by more than an hour.
Downing Street sources left the door open to India using the missiles in the conflict over Kashmir, but only in a defensive capacity.
John Healey, the Defence Secretary, said of the deal: “The defence deals announced today show how our growing strategic partnership with India will boost UK business and jobs.
“I am hopeful that this will pave the way for a deeper relationship between our two defence industries, particularly in the development of electric engines for naval ships and in air defence.
“As we deepen our defence relationship with India, we will harness the UK defence industry as an engine for growth, securing vital jobs in Northern Ireland and throughout the UK.”
