Indian Pilots to Train UK’s Royal Air Force in Landmark Defence Deal
Date: October 22 2025
Location: Mumbai / London / Wales
In a historic turn of events, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will for the first time send its flying instructors to train cadets of the Royal Air Force (RAF) in the United Kingdom, under a newly-signed defence cooperation agreement between Narendra Modi and Keir Starmer
What the Deal Says
Beginning October 2026, at least two IAF instructor-pilots—described as “Top Guns”—will be embedded at RAF Valley on Anglesey in Wales, to train RAF cadets flying the BAE Hawk T2 trainer jet.
Before assuming instructor duties, these Indian instructors will complete a conversion period of roughly one year to familiarise themselves with the British aircraft and training system.
Their salaries will be covered by India, while the UK Ministry of Defence will provide accommodation and support.
Why This Matters
Symbolic reversal of roles: Historically, British instructors trained Indian pilots; this marks a reversal of that dynamic.
Strategic deepening: The initiative comes amid expanding UK-India defence ties which include missile deals, naval co-operations and joint exercises.
Operational impact: The RAF has been facing shortages of qualified fast-jet instructors and training bottlenecks—Indian instructor expertise will help plug the gap.
Key Benefits & Implications
For the UK: Additional instructor resources and enhanced training throughput for fast-jet pilot programmes.
For India: Recognition of its combat aviation and training maturity; opportunity to project influence and expertise globally.
For bilateral ties: Greater interoperability, shared training techniques, strengthened defence partnership.
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Points of Caution & Consideration
Conversion training is critical: Indian instructors must adapt to the Hawk T2 and UK training environment before full teaching duties.
Public/experts critique: Some aviation analysts note that the move underscores UK instructor shortfalls.
Long-term outcomes: Success depends on integration, cultural/training alignment, and sustained political will.
Outlook
This milestone agreement sets a precedent for India’s evolving role in global defence training networks. While technical details such as exact numbers of instructors, full deployment schedule and cost-sharing remain under wraps, the announced launch in October 2026 marks the start of a three-year partnership phase. Observers will watch closely how this collaboration shapes pilot training performance, defence diplomacy, and the broader UK-India security axis.
