India and the UK have signed a renewed defence accord through which the two countries have agreed to “redouble efforts” to identify mutual defence requirements and collaborate on solutions, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said.
An MoD statement on 15 April said the renewed memorandum of understanding (MOU) “marks a step change” in the defence relationship between India and the UK, with emphasis on collaboration on defence procurement and industrial co-operation.
BAE Systems has confirmed that it has started talks with India about a possible joint programme featuring the UK company’s Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier (pictured). (BAE Systems)
“By collaborating and exploiting procurement opportunities together both nations will be able to benefit from technological and manufacturing capabilities and support long-term co-operation between their defence and security industries,” the UK MoD said.
The MoD also indicated that a focus of the agreement will be to explore opportunities in naval systems. The MoD also pointed out that the MOU was signed following a visit by Indian Navy (IN) chief Admiral Sunil Lanba to the UK Royal Navy’s HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier in Portsmouth in March and exercises undertaken by the two navies in late 2018.
One possible area of UK-India collaboration is the UK’s Queen Elizabeth-class (QEC) aircraft carrier. Constructor BAE Systems confirmed to Jane’s on 16 April that the company has held talks with India about a potential joint programme. The QEC design is seen as a possible contender to meet the IN’s requirement for a second indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC-2).
The IN’s first aircraft carrier (IAC-1) – named INS Vikrant
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