Indian Qualified Flying Instructors to Join RAF Valley to Enhance Pilot Training and Military Cooperation in the United Kingdom

In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to send three of its Qualified Flying Instructors (QFIs) to RAF Valley in the UK, the premier training base for British fast jet pilots.

This move, confirmed after the 19th UK-India Air Staff Talks in New Delhi, marks the first time Indian instructors will be directly involved in fast jet training for the Royal Air Force (RAF).

The initial deployment is scheduled for two years.

Strengthening UK-India Military Ties

The latest agreement builds on an ongoing series of defence collaborations between the two nations.

Earlier this year, an Indian Air Force officer joined the Royal Air Force College Cranwell as an instructor, completing the presence of Indian officers across all three UK military academies.

These developments underscore a growing emphasis on joint training and interoperability, enhancing both countries’ military capabilities.

Air Vice Marshal Ian Townsend, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff, emphasized the strategic value of this step, saying the integration of Indian QFIs into UK Military Flying Training Systems “deepens our cooperation, enhances interoperability, and reinforces our shared commitment to excellence in aircrew training.”

A Milestone in the Defence Relationship

Commodore Chris Saunders, Defence Adviser at the British High Commission, described the deployment as “another significant milestone” in the expanding UK-India defence partnership.

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He highlighted how the collaboration reflects mutual trust, shared expertise, and a long-term strategic outlook envisioned under UK-India Vision 2035.

From Indian officers teaching at Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth and Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, to this new role at RAF Valley, the move represents a deepening of training cooperation at every level of the armed forces.

Saunders noted it’s not just about pilots learning skills — it’s about building “depth, understanding, and cooperation” across services.

Operational Details of the Training Program

The Indian instructors will work on the BAE Hawk T2 and Texan T1 aircraft while remaining under IAF command but carrying out instructional duties under RAF commanders.

The program will allow British pilots to benefit from the experience and perspective of Indian instructors, who bring expertise from a country that has recently participated in major multi-lateral air exercises like Cobra Warrior in 2023 and Tarang Shakti in 2024.

The UK and India have a history of increasingly sophisticated joint exercises, including the largest-ever maritime exercise involving both nations’ Carrier Strike Groups in 2025 and the Ajeya Warrior army exercise in Rajasthan.

This latest initiative adds an educational and operational layer to what has already been a growing defence partnership.

What’s Next?

The two-year deployment will be closely monitored, with both sides looking to evaluate the benefits of Indian instructors embedded in RAF training squadrons.

Observers expect that if successful, the collaboration could expand further, potentially including additional aircrew training programs, cross-service exercises, and deeper integration of Indian officers in UK defence systems.

Annual UK-India Air Staff Talks will continue to guide these developments, ensuring alignment with broader strategic goals.

Summary

For the first time, Indian Air Force instructors are heading to RAF Valley to train British fast jet pilots, highlighting a growing defence partnership between the UK and India.

This initiative complements earlier deployments at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and Britannia Royal Naval College, creating a network of shared expertise across all three UK military academies.

By integrating IAF instructors into UK training programs, both nations aim to enhance interoperability, strengthen military ties, and build a long-term strategic partnership that aligns with UK-India Vision 2035.