Air Marshal Richard Knighton signed the Defence
Equipment Memorandum on behalf of the UK Ministry of
Defence, while Shri Barun Mitra, Additional Secretary
Defence Production at the Ministry of Defence, signed
on behalf of the Indian Government.
Defence Minister said:
As major world economies, Britain and India both have
a proud global maritime history, with impressive
futures ahead. The signing of this Memorandum of
Understanding underpins the collaboration between our
two nations, building on our defence ties, and
ensuring our nations are able to combat emerging
threats for generations to come.
The agreement, which marks a step change in India and
United Kingdom’s defence relationship, comes after a
visit by India’s chief of naval staff, Admiral Sunil
Lanba, to HMS Queen Elizabeth in Portsmouth last month.
It also follows HMS Dragon’s visit to Goa in December
last year, where the ship took part in the longstanding
naval exercise, The Konkan Series.
By collaborating and exploiting procurement
opportunities together, both nations will be able to
benefit from technological and manufacturing
capabilities and support long-term cooperation between
their defence and security industries.
In addition to the bilateral talks this week, UK and
Indian industry met to discuss how they would forge
deeper and broader partnerships to contribute to these
efforts.
Minister of State for Trade and Export Promotion
said:
I am delighted that the Ministries of Defence of
India and the United Kingdom have signed this
Memorandum of Understanding. This agreement will help
us develop closer, mutually beneficial relationships
between our respective defence and security
industries.
