The UK government said on Monday that its defence sector was in full force at Aero India, India’s biggest air show, which is being held in Bengaluru. The show’s goal is to not only show off Britain’s military might, but also to show off India’s “Create in India” as well as “Make in India.” On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the 14th Aero India at the Yelahanka Air Force station complex on the edge of Bengaluru.
Officials say that over 700 defence companies and delegates from 98 countries are taking part in the five-day show.
This edition of Aero India shows how India is becoming a centre for making military planes, helicopters, military equipment, and new-age avionics.
The British delegation is ready to move forward with talks on key offers for collaboration, such as a strategic partnership for a jet engine development programme and maritime electric propulsion technology. This shows that the two countries want to work together more on research, development, and training.
A statement from the British High Commission said, “During the week, the delegation will meet with a variety of Indian stakeholders to reiterate the UK’s desire to not only “Make in India” but also “Create in India.”
The UK team is led by Alex Chalk, who is the Minister for Defence Procurement. The team is made up of people from the government, the military, and the defence industry.
“As we continue to build the UK-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, I’m very excited to attend Aero India. It’s a great chance to show that the UK is committed to building strong bilateral relations and delivering on the 2030 Roadmap,” Chalk said.
“Recent joint exercises with the Indian Navy, Army, and Air Force show how strongly our two countries want to work together to make the Indo-Pacific region free, open, and safe,” he said.
After going to the UP Global Investors Summit, where the UK was a country partner, the delegation went to Bengaluru to “unlock investment potential” in India’s northern defence corridor.
The British High Commissioner in India, Alex Ellis, said: “I heard today about Prime Minister Modi’s plan to build up India’s own defence capabilities. The UK is the right partner to help India reach this goal, by sharing knowledge, increasing interoperability, training and practising more, and working together more in industry, including through design and make in India.
“The UK is ready to help India with its defence and security needs as it moves towards becoming atmanirbhar,” Ellis said.
Air Vice-Marshal Richard Maddison of the Royal Air Force (RAF) and British manufacturing giants like Rolls Royce, BAE Systems, MBDA UK, Thales UK, Collins Aerospace, and Leonardo are part of the UK team at Aero India 2023.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is coming to the UK next month for the Cobra Warrior exercise, and the RAF said they are looking forward to meeting them.
The IAF will be taking part in the multilateral air combat exercise for the first time. Air forces from 17 countries will also be there.
It will come after the RAF shared its expertise with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) when the Eurofighter Typhoon, Voyager, and A400 went to New Delhi in September of last year. During that trip, the RAF and IAF also did some joint flying exercises.
The British government said that the UK-India Defence Industry Joint Working Group, which held its first meeting at the Defence Expo in Gandhinagar last year, is making it easier for the two countries to work together. One way this is happening is that UK defence companies are including Indian defence suppliers in their global supply chains.
