Prime Ministers Modi and Johnson have today set out a
shared vision for the UK-India defence partnership and agreed to
advance the relationship to a new level.
In a virtual summit, Prime Ministers Modi and Johnson have today
(4 May) set out a shared vision for the UK-India defence
partnership and agreed to advance the relationship to a new
level, with a particular focus on maritime and industrial
collaboration.
The leaders reaffirmed the benefits of closer co-operation in a
free and open Indo-Pacific, recognising their shared interest in
regional prosperity and stability. They agreed to significant new
cooperation on Maritime Domain Awareness, which includes new
agreements on maritime information sharing, an invitation to the
UK to join India’s Information Fusion Centre in Gurgaon and an
ambitious exercise programme which includes joint tri-lateral
exercises.
The two countries are also working to conclude a Logistics
Memorandum of Understanding that will enhance our joint ability
to tackle shared challenges.
In addition to commitments on the Indo-Pacific, the two countries
agreed to build on existing government-to-government
collaboration on India’s future combat air engine requirement. As
part of a ‘2030 Roadmap’, they agreed to work closely together in
support of India’s indigenous development of the Light Combat
Aircraft Mark 2. They also spoke of the potential for further
industrial collaboration in areas like maritime propulsion, space
and cyber, marking the start of a promising new era of UK-India
research, capability and industrial collaboration on Indian
combat air and beyond.
This agreement builds upon that signed between Hindustan
Aeronautics Limited and Rolls Royce to move aspects of the
manufacture of the MT30 Gas Turbine engine to India, supporting
PM Modi’s Make in India initiative. The MT30 is an engine
employed widely in navies around the world and is the basis of
the UK’s Integrated Electric Propulsion system that powers the
Queen Elizabeth Class Carriers.
UK Minister for Defence Procurement, , said:
The UK and India enjoy a strong defence and security
relationship.
We remain committed to close collaboration with India as we
both adapt to meet future threats and look to innovate our
defence equipment programmes and systems.
British High Commissioner to India, Alex Ellis, said:
The UK and India are natural partners in defence and security.
Today’s announcements underline our shared ambition for that
partnership, enhancing cooperation, building joint expertise
and accelerating industrial cooperation, building up to the
arrival of our new aircraft carrier and its accompanying ships
to India this autumn.
Today’s announcements follow the news that the UK’s Carrier
Strike Group 2021, led by HMS Queen Elizabeth, will sail to India
in the autumn on its maiden operational deployment.
The UK Integrated Review - a landmark review of foreign, defence,
development and security policy, published last month - committed
the UK to becoming the European country with the broadest, most
integrated presence in the Indo-Pacific in support of trade,
shared security and values.
