Britain once trained the Indian Air Force. Why are IAF pilots now training RAF pilots? | Today’s news
For decades, Britain played a key role in training the Indian military during the colonial era. Now, in a striking reversal, Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots are training British Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots.
For the first time, three IAF pilots joined the RAF as Qualified Flying Instructors (QFI) at RAF Valley in Wales, UK. Indian instructors will train young British pilots on the BAE Hawk T2 aircraft, which is also used by the IAF for the final phase of its fighter pilot training.
The three-member Indian team, led by a Squadron Leader-level officer, will initially be deployed in the UK for two years.
From the Royal Indian Air Force to RAF pilot training
This development has an interesting historical connection with India’s colonial past.
The British established the Auxiliary Air Force in India on 8 October 1932. During World War II, the force was designated the Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF) in 1945 in recognition of its service during the war.
When India became a republic in January 1950, the force dropped the ‘Royal’ prefix and became the Indian Air Force.
More than seven decades later, Indian pilots took on a different role in Britain – training pilots for the RAF itself.
Why are IAF pilots training British pilots?
The deployment is part of India-UK efforts to deepen military training and defense cooperation.
The decision to send IAF instructors to Britain was taken in February this year after the two countries agreed to expand military training.
The IAF described the deployment as “a historic first in India-UK defense cooperation”.
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In a post on X Forces on Friday, they said: “Three qualified Indian Air Force Flying Instructors (QFIs) have joined RAF Valley in Wales to instruct Royal Air Force pilots – marking the first deployment of Indian QFIs to the UK.
The IAF said the move was a “landmark” to strengthen professional excellence, interoperability and long-standing India-UK ties.
What will Indian instructors do in the UK?
Three IAF instructors will train RAF pilots on the BAE Hawk T2, a jet trainer used by the British Air Force.
The aircraft also has an important role in India’s fighter pilot training program, where it is used as the final training platform before pilots transition to operational combat aircraft.
Thus, the Indian QFIs will bring experience from the IAF’s own advanced air training system to RAF Valley.
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Their first deployment is planned for two years.
Defense ties between India and the UK are expanding
The deployment comes amid efforts by New Delhi and London to strengthen their broader defense partnership.
In April this year, Defense Minister Rajesh Kumar Singh held talks with Jonathan Nicholas Powell, UK National Security Adviser, on regional security developments. Both sides also reviewed the progress of existing India-UK defense cooperation frameworks.
The push for closer military cooperation also came up in discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during Starmer’s official visit to India in October last year.
According to a joint statement issued after their meeting, the two countries agreed to expand exchanges between their armed forces through joint exercises, training and capacity building.
(With inputs from news agency ANI)
