UK Chief of the Defence Staff visits India to strengthen military ties

The United Kingdom’s Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, took part in a series of high-level meetings in India last month, continuing momentum in building strategic ties between the two countries.

The CDS began his 3-day visit by paying homage to the fallen soldiers at the National War Memorial on 17 April, ahead of his first meeting with his Indian counterpart, General Anil Chauhan.

The two Chiefs reviewed progress on various pillars of the UK-India defence partnership and exchanged views to further expand ties in all the domains. The UK and India are natural partners in defence and share a strong and enduring relationship, including collaboration in research, development and training.

Following the signing of an updated Memorandum of Understanding in 2019, discussions around industrial collaboration in the aerospace sector have been progressing, with the UK’s Minister for Defence Procurement visiting in February and the First Sea Lord visiting in March.

Ben Wallace, Defence Secretary, said, “India is a valued defence partner for the UK and our relationship continues to flourish across our research and industrial sectors.

“Both our nations are committed to the stability and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific and we continue to train and operate alongside our Indian partners to promote security in the region.”

Admiral Radakin subsequently held discussions with the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Hari Kumar, Chief of the Army Staff, General Manoj Pande, Defence Secretary, Giridhar Aramane, and Additional Secretary Defence Production, T Natarajan.

Admiral Radakin was hosted by various establishments of the Indian Armed Forces across the country, with a view to boost military-to-military engagement and explore opportunities around the co-creation of future technologies.

Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, Chief of the Defence Staff, said, “My visit to India reflects the United Kingdom’s belief that our security is indivisible from that of the wider world. As a global trading nation it matters to the UK that the Indo-Pacific is open and free, which is why the British Armed Forces is establishing the broadest and most integrated presence in the region of any European nation.

“India and the UK are natural partners in a world that is becoming more contested and volatile. We share many of the same democratic instincts and values and are both committed to the rule of law. We are respected military powers, both undergoing significant investment and modernisation, and exercising together across, land, sea and air. But we can do more. I value the opportunity to meet with General Anil Chauhan to discuss how we can develop our partnership in a way that benefits our mutual security and prosperity.”

The Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force are all carrying out exercises with their Indian equivalents this year, developing interoperability and joint tactics.

HMS Lancaster visited Kochi to train alongside the Indian Navy as part of Exercise Konkan, while five Mirage 2000 fighters were flown by Indian Air Force pilots in the Royal Air Force’s largest aerial exercise in the UK – Exercise Cobra Warrior.

Later during the month, soldiers from the Indian Army deployed to the UK took part in Exercise Ajeya Warrior, training alongside the British Army.

The visit of CDS also coincided with the visit of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) of the Royal Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston. The visit of two of the senior-most officers of the UK’s armed forces exemplified the importance with which the UK holds its defence and security partnership with India.