In reversal of colonial times, IAF instructors to train UK’s RAF fighter pilots

LONDON: In a historic reversal of colonial times, two top guns from the Indian Air Force will soon be training Royal Air Force fighter pilots in the UK.The two IAF instructors will train RAF aircrew officers who are completing flying training at No. 4 Flying Training School in RAF Valley on the island of Anglesey, off the northwest coast of Wales.A senior RAF source told TOI: “The start date remains to be confirmed; however it will not be before Oct 2026. UK familiarisation and training may take up to a year or less, depending on experience.”It is understood that their salaries will be paid by India, while the UK ministry of defence will provide accommodation.The school is where the UK’s next generation of fighter pilots get trained on the BAE Hawk TMk2. Two Hawk-qualified flying instructors from India will be based on Anglesey for up to three years. The advanced jet trainer provides the ideal lead-in trainer for pilots graduating on to frontline aircraft such as the Typhoon and F-35.The plan to bring IAF instructors to the UK is part of a new approach to building a stronger relationship with the IAF and by association supporting wider UK military and political goals, an RAF source told TOI.The agreement was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during UK PM Keir Starmer’s visit to Mumbai last week when a £350 million defence deal to send UK-manufactured lightweight multirole missiles to the Indian Army was sealed.The World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft ranks India as having the third-strongest air force in the world, after the US and Russia, and ahead of the UK which is ranked eighth.“Having FN Qualified Flying Instructors (QFIs) involved in the UK training system provides several defence engagement benefits to both the RAF and the partner nation,” the RAF source said.“The wider benefit is the building and enhancing of interoperability with a partner nation, jointly strengthening bilateral relationships through the building of trust in a core endeavour of providing world-leading flying training. The knowledge exchange that occurs from the interaction with international trainees and trainers allows for the exchange of tactics, techniques, and procedures.”