The United Kingdom will provide India with expertise in the development of fighter jets

*Paromita Das

The UK has said that it will offer New Delhi “know-how” on building fighter jets ahead of crucial talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Boris Johnson.

The development is expected to provide a much-needed boost to India’s ‘Make in India’ defense-sector initiative.

According to a statement issued by the UK Prime Minister’s Office, the country will “support new Indian-designed and built fighter jets, offering the best of British know-how on building battle-winning aircraft.”

The offer is being interpreted as London’s attempt to reduce India’s reliance on Russia for defense needs. The majority of India’s defense equipment, including spare parts, is imported from Russia.
According to the statement, the UK will “also seek to support India’s requirements for new technology to identify and respond to threats in the Indian Ocean.”

This follows an increase in Chinese presence in the region engaged in IUU (illegal, unreported, and unregulated) activities.

As part of its Indo-Pacific strategy, the United Kingdom deployed its Carrier Strike Group in the Indian Ocean Region last year.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated ahead of his meeting with the Indian Prime Minister, “Autocratic states that seek to undermine democracy, suffocate free and fair trade, and trample on sovereignty pose a growing threat to the world.”

“”The UK-India partnership is a beacon in these stormy seas,” he added. The UK Prime Minister is in India for a two-day visit, with the first day spent in Gujarat on Thursday.