New Delhi has announced a significant advancement in military training collaboration between India and the United Kingdom following the completion of the 19th UK-India Air Staff Talks. This strategic dialogue took place in New Delhi, where representatives discussed enhancing military cooperation. The development comes shortly after an Indian Air Force officer was deployed to the Royal Air Force College Cranwell as an instructor for the first time in January. This officer’s assignment extends the presence of Indian military personnel as instructors across all three British military academies.

Significant Milestone in Defence Cooperation

Air Vice Marshal Ian Townsend, who is the Assistant Chief of the Air Staff, highlighted that the signing of a Letter of Agreement serves as a key milestone in reinforcing the long-standing relationship between the Indian and British air forces. He emphasised that the inclusion of Indian Qualified Flying Instructors (QFIs) into the UK’s Military Flying Training Systems is expected to enhance operational cooperation and interoperability, showcasing a mutual commitment to high standards in aircrew training. Townsend remarked on the importance of investing in a partnership that is both strategic and sustainable.

Enhancing Interoperability and Building Trust

Commodore Chris Saunders MBE, Defence Adviser at the British High Commission, underscored that the imminent deployment of Indian QFIs to the UK represents another landmark in the evolving defence relationship. He noted that this initiative builds upon the guiding principles of the UK-India Vision 2035 and reinforces the collaborative trust that exists between the two nations. The presence of Indian instructors across all three British officer training academies reflects a deepening of understanding and cooperation across various military services.

Annual Engagements and Historical Context

The Air Staff Talks form part of regular engagements between India and the UK, typically attended by military officers of a two-star rank or higher. The previous round of talks was held in London in 2025. During a visit by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to Mumbai in October 2025, an agreement was signed to formalise military training cooperation between the two countries. Under this new arrangement, Indian Air Force instructors will be deployed to RAF Valley to provide training on aircraft including the BAE Hawk T2 and Texan T1. The Indian instructors will operate under the command of the Indian Air Force while fulfilling their instructional roles with the Royal Air Force.

Continued Presence of Indian Military Instructors

The deployment of Indian military personnel as instructors has been ongoing in various British military institutions. Since May 2024, the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, has had an officer from the Indian Navy as an instructor, followed by the assignment of an Indian Army officer to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in May 2025. This cooperation illustrates the growing collaboration between the two nations’ military forces.

Joint Exercises and Future Collaboration

In 2025, the UK and India marked an unprecedented level of military coordination through joint exercises, including the largest maritime exercise involving both navies’ Carrier Strike Groups. This was soon followed by the Ajeya Warrior joint army exercise conducted in Rajasthan. Additionally, in 2023, the Indian Air Force made its debut at the UK-led multi-lateral air exercise Cobra Warrior. Moreover, the Royal Air Force participated in the IAF’s first multi-lateral air combat exercise called Tarang Shakti in 2024, signalling a comprehensive approach to defence collaboration.