Three Indian instructors will help train British fast-jet pilots at RAF Valley, marking a new chapter in defence cooperation
Three Indian Air Force (IAF) flying instructors have arrived in the United Kingdom to train pilots of the Royal Air Force (RAF), marking the first time Indian instructors will provide fast-jet training to British pilots in the UK.
The deployment is part of an agreement to strengthen military cooperation between India and Britain. The instructors will be based at RAF Valley in Wales, home to the RAF’s fast-jet training programme.
The move follows the 19th UK-India Air Staff Talks held in New Delhi in February 2026, where the two countries agreed to expand cooperation in pilot training and other areas of defence.
The three IAF officers, led by a squadron leader-level instructor, will serve as Qualified Flying Instructors. They are expected to train British pilots undergoing advanced flying instruction, including training on aircraft such as the Hawk T2.
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The deployment is scheduled to last two years, according to reports on the agreement
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The instructors will remain under Indian command while carrying out training duties alongside RAF personnel
The arrangement represents a significant development in the military relationship between the two countries. For decades, the RAF played an important role in training Indian military pilots. The latest initiative reverses that traditional direction of training, with Indian personnel now helping prepare British aviators.
The agreement also reflects efforts by both air forces to share operational experience, improve training standards and build closer links between their personnel.
British and Indian defence officials have welcomed the arrangement as a sign of growing trust and cooperation. The initiative is expected to support the RAF’s pilot-training requirements while providing opportunities for the IAF to share its flying expertise in an international setting.
The deployment is part of wider efforts by India and the UK to deepen defence ties amid changing security challenges and increasing cooperation between their armed forces.
