Advancing Collaborative Frontiers: Key Developments in the India-UK Defence Partnership

Various aspects concerning the Electric Propulsion Partnership were addressed during the 2nd India-UK Electric Propulsion Capability Partnership Joint Working Group meeting held today in New Delhi. Topics of discussion encompassed the finalization of the Statement of Technical Requirements (SOTR), Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) procedures, maintenance, Manning Philosophy, and System Integration requirements.
Co-chairing the meeting were Joint Secretary (Naval Systems), Department of Defence Production, Shri Rajeev Prakash, and Director, Ships Operations and Capability Integration, Defence Equipment & Support Rear Admiral Steve McCarthy.
The joint statement issued in April 2022, following discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, welcomed the finalization of the Letter of Arrangement between the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation.
Presently, the UK has extended an offer of advanced core technologies to India, facilitating the creation of an indigenous, ITAR-free jet engine owned, manufactured, and exported by India. The establishment of the Electric Propulsion Capability Partnership aims to forge a robust collaboration between the respective navies for the development of Electric Propulsion capability in India.
Further commitments under the UK India 2030 Roadmap include partnership initiatives for India’s indigenous combat air programs, namely LCA Mk-II and AMCA. Rolls Royce has solidified its presence in India through a partnership with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for packaging, installation, marketing, and service support of Rolls-Royce MT30 marine engines.
In 2022, with the support of the UK government, defence industry organizations from India and the UK collaborated to establish a Defence Industry Joint Working Group, fostering more effective cooperation. The inaugural meeting of this group occurred during DefExpo 2022 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Notably, the UK industry’s integration of Indian defence suppliers into its global supply chain has expanded, manufacturing defence equipment not solely for India but for international markets.
The Joint Working Group stands as a pivotal element in the continuous effort between both nations to fortify their defence and security partnership through industrial collaboration. Notably, the UK’s issuance of the first Open General Export License (OGEL) in the Indo-Pacific region to India aims to expedite defence procurement delivery times.
A subject matter expertise exchange between the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) occurred during the visit of Eurofighter Typhoon, Voyager, and A400 in New Delhi. Concurrently, joint-flying exercises were conducted with the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Additionally, Thales UK and BDL have entered into an agreement to produce the next generation of VSHORAD missiles in India, supplying both the UK and Indian Armies with a ‘Made in India’ Laser Beam Riding MANPAD System. MBDA UK has also established a live build capability for the Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) in partnership with BDL.