tech exchange arrangement: India, UK set to finalise defence tech exchange arrangement

India and the UK are within the strategy of finalising an association for the joint manufacturing of superior defence know-how and methods, the British Parliament has been knowledgeable.

In response to a written query within the Home of Commons, UK Minister for Defence Procurement Jeremy Quin confirmed {that a} Letter of Association between the defence analysis companies on each side is within the strategy of being agreed.

Such an association is meant to cowl joint analysis and co-development programmes between the 2 international locations, enhancing bilateral ties within the defence sector.

“The UK and India are because of finalise a Letter of Association between the UK’s Defence Science & Expertise Laboratory and India’s Defence Analysis & Growth Organisation (DRDO),” stated Quin, in a written parliamentary assertion earlier this week.

“This may assist to ship superior safety capabilities by way of joint analysis, co-design, co-development and joint manufacturing of defence know-how and methods,” the minister stated.

Quin, who was not too long ago in India for these discussions, was responding to a query by Opposition Labour Celebration MP Kevan Jones on the steps deliberate by the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) to “help India’s necessities for brand spanking new know-how”.

It follows an growing concentrate on India-UK ties within the defence sector within the wake of the Russia-Ukraine battle, with the UK acknowledging the necessity to actively improve strategic ties with India and the broader Indo-Pacific area.

“I feel the problem for India is there may be some degree of dependence on Russia, each when it comes to its defence relationships but additionally when it comes to its financial relationships. And I feel the best way ahead is for a more in-depth financial and defence relationship with India,” UK International Secretary Liz Truss had stated within the weeks after the battle.

The joint assertion signed throughout British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s go to to India final month has a devoted part on defence and safety as a “key pillar” of the India-UK Complete Strategic Partnership.

An “open basic export license” to facilitate know-how engagement with India and an “open alternative” for India to take part within the UK’s aviation and naval shipbuilding programmes are among the many highlights.

“They [Prime Ministers Modi and Johnson] welcomed the finalisation of the Letter of Association between the UK’s Defence Science & Expertise Laboratory and India’s Defence Analysis & Growth Organisation to assist ship superior safety capabilities by way of joint-research, co-design, co-development and joint manufacturing of defence know-how and methods – notably in key and rising navy applied sciences,” the joint assertion reads.

“The leaders famous the significance of sturdy defence industrial collaboration for manufacturing of defence gear, methods, spare elements, elements, aggregates and different associated merchandise and key capabilities, below the Make-in-India programme by way of co-development, indigenisation, switch of know-how and organising of joint ventures for assembly the wants of the Armed Forces of India and different international locations,” it provides.

The defence cooperation concentrate on strategic collaboration in areas comparable to fashionable fighter plane and jet engine superior core know-how is a part of what has been described as “highest degree entry” to know-how to the Indian trade.