Over the course of the week, the delegation will engage a range of Indian stakeholders to reiterate the UK’s ambition to not only make in India but also to ‘Create in India’.
The UK delegation will take discussions forward on key offers that are being explored for collaboration, such as strategic partnership for a jet engine development programme and maritime electric propulsion technology.
The Royal Air Force (RAF) looks forward to welcoming the Indian Air Force (IAF) to the UK for exercise Cobra Warrior next month. This will be the first time that the IAF would be participating in the multilateral air combat exercise, which will see participation of air forces from 17 nations.
The UK delegation, which is led by Minister for Defence Procurement Alex Chalk, comprises representatives from Government, military, and the defence industry.
This includes Air Vice-Marshal Richard Maddison of the Royal Air Force and British manufacturing giants such as Rolls Royce, BAE Systems, MBDA UK, Thales UK, Collins Aerospace and Leonardo.
The delegation travelled to Bengaluru following their participation at the UP Global Investors Summit, of which the UK was a country partner, to unlock investment potential in India’s northern defence corridor.
Alex Chalk, Minister for Defence Procurement, said:
As we continue to build the UK-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, I’m hugely excited to attend Aero India – another key opportunity to demonstrate the UK’s commitment to developing strong bilateral relations and deliver on the 2030 Roadmap.
Recent collaborations on exercise with the Indian Navy, Army and Air Force underpin the strength of our two nations’ commitment to working together to promote a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific region.
Alex Ellis, British High Commissioner to India, said:
I heard today Prime Minister Modi’s vision to build India’s indigenous defence capabilities; the UK is the right partner to realise that ambition – through sharing knowledge, increasing interoperability, more training and exercising – and through increased industrial collaboration, including through design and make in India.
The UK is committed to partner with India in its journey towards becoming atmanirbhar in its defence and security needs.
Aero India
Aero India is an international air show and aerospace exhibition held in Bengaluru, India. It was first established in 1996 by the Ministry of Defence with the purpose of providing a platform for the Indian defence industry to showcase its capabilities and acquire new technologies from other countries.
The British High Commission has been actively participating in Aero India since 2005, having set up a pavilion at the event every year. Through their presence in Aero India, they aim to promote British companies as well as Indian companies that have business dealings with Britain. This helps to facilitate trade between both nations and strengthens their economic ties. In addition to this, it allows them to provide more opportunities for collaboration between British and Indian firms operating in the aerospace sector.
Sources: THX News, UK Government & British High Commission New Delhi.
