New UK-India Joint Working Group to boost defence ties

Defence industry organisations from India and the UK have come together to create a new Defence Industry Joint Working Group for more effective cooperation, the British High Commission said.

In a statement, the High Commission said that the initiative is supported by the UK Government. The inaugural meeting of the UK-India Defence Industry Joint Working Group was held on the sidelines of DefExpo 2022 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. DefExpo will see representation from 20 UK defence companies. UK industry is already integrating Indian defence suppliers into their global supply chain, manufacturing defence equipment not just for India but for the world.

According to the statement, the Royal Air Force (RAF) recently conducted a subject matter expertise exchange with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) during the visit of Eurofighter Typhoon, Voyager and A400 in New Delhi and also held joint-flying exercises with the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Alex Ellis, British High Commissioner to India, said: "A stronger UK-India defence relationship is an essential element of the British and Indian governments' Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The UK supports Prime Minister Modi's ambitions of Make in India, Make for the World."

Mark Goldsack, Director, UK Defence and Security Exports, said: "This is another step in the growing defence relations between the two countries, who are working to establish a portfolio of collaborative projects to support the development of new technologies and capabilities as agreed under the 2030 Roadmap."

(ANI)