❓WHAT HAPPENED: Indian Air Force instructors will be imported to train British Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots for the first time under a new defense agreement.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Royal Air Force, Indian Air Force, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Britain’s Ministry of Defence (MOD).
📍WHEN & WHERE: Training begins October 2024 at RAF Valley in north Wales, with Indian instructors embedded for over three years.
💬KEY QUOTE: “The Indians are very good and I am certain they will make a valuable contribution towards our flying training, but … it’s ironic that we trained the world to fly, but we can’t even train our own these days,” remarked a former RAF officer.
🎯IMPACT: The deal underscores the British state’s addiction to hiring foreigners in general and Indians in particular to fill all sorts of vacancies, including military vacancies.
Indian Air Force (IAF) instructors will be imported to train Royal Air Force (RAF) cadets to fly Hawk T2 fast jets in Britain, starting in October 2026. This initiative is part of a new defense agreement between the British government, led by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party, and India, aimed at strengthening military cooperation between the two countries. At least two IAF pilots will be embedded at RAF Valley in north Wales for more than three years.
Notably, the Indian instructors must complete a year-long training program to familiarise themselves with RAF aircraft and procedures, suggesting British pilots could have been trained for the roles. “The Indians are very good and I am certain they will make a valuable contribution towards our flying training, but … it’s ironic that we trained the world to fly, but we can’t even train our own these days,” one former RAF officer commented on the arrangement.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the arrangement during Sir Keir Starmer’s recent visit to Bombay (Mumbai). Highlighting the significance of the collaboration, Modi argued, “India’s dynamism and the UK’s expertise combine to create a unique synergy. Our partnership is trustworthy, talent and technology-driven.”
This agreement follows several previous steps taken to deepen UK-India defence ties. A £350 million (~$469 million) contract was recently signed for British-made missiles to be delivered to the Indian Army, and the Royal Navy’s aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales has conducted joint exercises with Indian forces. British High Commissioner (Ambassador) to India, Lindy Cameron, described the growing partnership as a “top priority” for Britain, citing India’s increasing economic and strategic influence.
The RAF, which has recently faced challenges in its pilot training programs, previously sent cadets to the United States and Italy in 2023 due to shortages of instructors and Hawk T2 aircraft. This comes at a time when the RAF has been under scrutiny for its internal policies, with a 2023 report revealing that the air force had unlawfully discriminated against white men in recruitment efforts.
Additionally, the RAF has reportedly banned the use of the “Crusaders” nickname within some of its units, out of concern that it could be offensive to Muslims.
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