In a historic first for India-UK defence cooperation, three Indian Air Force Qualified Flying Instructors have been deployed to RAF Valley in Wales. They will instruct Royal Air Force pilots, a landmark step in strengthening bilateral ties.
Three Indian Air Force Qualified Flying Instructors (QFIs) have joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) Valley in Wales, UK, to train British fast-jet pilots in a historic bilateral defence milestone. Announcing the historic achievement in a post on X, the media coordination centre of the Indian Air Force wrote, “A historic first in India–UK defence cooperation. Three Indian Air Force Qualified Flying Instructors (QFIs) have joined RAF Valley, Wales, to instruct Royal Air Force pilots — marking the first deployment of Indian QFIs to the UK.” The IAF hailed the QFIs’ deployment as a “landmark step in strengthening our shared commitment to professional excellence, interoperability and enduring India–UK ties.” 🇮🇳🤝🇬🇧 A historic first in India–UK defence cooperation. Three Indian Air Force Qualified Flying Instructors (QFIs) have joined RAF Valley, Wales, to instruct Royal Air Force pilots — marking the first deployment of Indian QFIs to the UK. A landmark step in strengthening our… pic.twitter.com/9v9jdUXoB3 — Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) September 11, 2026
Strengthening Strategic Dialogue
Earlier in April, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh held talks with Jonathan Nicholas Powell, National Security Advisor of the UK, on regional security developments. Singh and Powell had reviewed the progress of existing India-UK defence cooperation frameworks. Additionally, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also held talks with Powell on regional and global security issues, while the discussions between Powell and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval focused on the annual India-UK Strategic Dialogue.
Building on Bilateral Agreements
Last year, then UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer paid an official visit to India in October on the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to the joint statement following their meeting, the leaders agreed to expand bilateral exchanges between the armed forces of India and the UK through joint exercises, training and capacity building. Prime Minister Modi welcomed the port call of the UK’s Carrier Strike Group and the Royal Navy’s exercise KONKAN with the Indian Navy. Both sides committed to robust maritime security collaboration in the Indo-Pacific, including establishment of the Regional Maritime Security Centre of Excellence (RMSCE) under the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).
In the context of cooperation on training, the two Leaders welcomed progress on an arrangement that will see Indian Air Force Qualified Flying Instructors integrated into UK Royal Air Force training, alongside an agreement that will facilitate “our strong training and education relationship.” (ANI)
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)