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OPINION OCTOBER 10, 2025 | The Indian Eye 11
fication helps lessen reliance on any Clean Energy Industries, and Profes-
partner for its fifth-generation stealth sional and Business Services, which
fighter programme, the Advanced are categorised as IS-8. In this case,
Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). strengthening the defence industrial
The project was evaluating three lead- base is seen as essential for safeguard-
ing contenders for engine collabora- ing national security, while also serv-
tion – General Electric (US), Rolls- ing as a driver of innovation, exports,
Royce (UK), and Safran (France). and industrial scale-ups.
Notably, France and the US already For India, this reorientation cre-
rank as India’s second and third-larg- ates new opportunities for collabo-
est defence suppliers after Russia. On ration, particularly as Britain retains
22 August 2025, Defence Minister comparative advantages in higher
Rajnath Singh announced that India education, scientific research, and ad-
will collaborate with Safran to co-pro- vanced technology. The UK’s evolv-
duce the advanced jet engines. ing role in European security, which
Apart from jet engine technolo- is anchored in a ‘NATO-first but not
gy, the UK’s Martin-Baker maintains NATO-only’ posture and shaped by
and manufactures ejection seats for the possibility of American retrench-
the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited ment, further enhances the rationale
(HAL) Tejas Light Combat Aircraft Rolls-Royce has offered co-production and technology transfer under the Jet Engine Advanced Core for deepening India–UK engagement
(LCA) Mk-1A fighters. The company across economic and security do-
is also negotiating with the Aeronau- Technologies (JEACT) initiative, including full intellectual property sharing commitments (File photo) mains. At the same time, differences
tical Development Agency (ADA) over the Russia–Ukraine conflict and
to supply ejection seats for the LCA dia’s naval modernisation and build flects the limited interaction in bilat- India’s continued ties with Moscow
Mk2, the AMCA, and the Twin-En- domestic capacity beyond LPDs, cov- eral defence cooperation with India, remain persistent sources of friction,
gine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF). ering future destroyers, frigates, and compared to major defence partners complicating an otherwise convergent
During the 2025 Aero India a second indigenous aircraft carrier, such as Russia, the US, France, and Indo-Pacific outlook.
event, Thales (UK) and Bharat Dy- while boosting interoperability with Israel. India’s indigenisation drive has
namics Limited (BDL) signed a con- UK systems and maritime power pro- reshaped its defence procurement WAY FORWARD
tract to deliver Laser Beam Riding jection. Furthermore, establishing a landscape by mandating local manu-
MANPADS (LBRM), beginning Regional Maritime Security Centre of facturing, imposing indigenous con- he India-UK bilateral defence
with STARStreak high-velocity mis- Excellence has been proposed within tent thresholds of at least 50 per cent, industrial roadmap aims to
siles and launchers. The agreement the Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative and progressively restricting imports Talign R&D priorities, secure
includes plans to co-develop Light- (IPOI) framework, whose maritime of platforms and components through intellectual property arrangements,
weight Multirole Missiles (LMM) security pillar is co-led by India and the “positive lists” issued by the De- and promote joint innovation hubs.
and integrate the Indian industry into the UK. Designed as a hub for re- partment of Military Affairs (DMA) The India–UK Vision 2035 includes
Thales’ global supply chain. Paral- gional capacity-building, the centre and Department of Defence Produc- provisions for annual reviews by the
lel efforts by MBDA UK and BDL aims to enhance collective responses tion (DDP). External Affairs Minister of India
have established an Advanced Short- to non-traditional maritime challeng- While these measures are intend- and the UK Foreign Secretary, aimed
Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) es, including piracy, cybercrime, and ed to strengthen self-reliance, they at evaluating outcomes to ensure ac-
assembly and testing facility in Hyder- illicit trafficking, thereby reinforcing also create the perception that India countability and continuity across
abad. This facility strengthens India’s cooperative security mechanisms in is challenging for foreign firms. With governments. Vision 2035 can be
fighter fleet and positions India as the Indian Ocean Region. 75 per cent of the 2025–26 defence expected to evolve from a roadmap
an exporter of precision munitions. The Royal Navy conducted mul- procurement budget reserved for into a durable pillar of the India–UK
These ventures illustrate the shift tiple ship visits to India in 2023, while domestic industry, external vendors Comprehensive Strategic Partner-
from buyer–seller dynamics toward 2024 saw joint drills with the Indi- face pressure to localise production. ship. The growing India-UK part-
collaborative production ecosystems. an Navy’s Littoral Response Group Although Foreign Direct Investment nership enhances global security and
The maritime domain has (South) and participation in Exercise (FDI) rules have been liberalised, national defence, with both sides le-
emerged as another pillar of bilateral Tarang Shakti. An Indian naval offi- permitting up to 74 per cent through veraging their complementary indus-
defence cooperation. A Statement of cer was appointed Divisional Train- the automatic route and up to 100 trial strengths to expand military en-
Intent (SoI) on Integrated Full Elec- ing Officer at Britannia Royal Naval per cent with government approval gagements and deepen collaboration
tric Propulsion (IFEP) technology College. The 2035 vision document for advanced technologies, actual in- on strategic capabilities.
was signed for India’s next-generation flags expanded joint military exercises flows remain limited due to concerns
Landing Platform Dock (LPD) fleet. across all domains, with instructor ex- over intellectual property, limited Dr Shayesta Nishat Ahmed is a
[22] Under the Electric Propulsion changes and India serving as a logis- technology transfers and India’s pref- Research Analyst at the Manohar
Capability Partnership (EPCP), this tics hub for UK forces in the region. erence for government-to-govern- Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies
initiative uses Rolls-Royce’s proven While these measures will deepen op- ment deals. Exceptions exist, such as and Analyses (MP-IDSA), New Delhi
MT-30 marine gas-turbine technolo- erational familiarity and build trust, Sweden’s Saab receiving approval for
gy in modular electric-drive systems. both nations are deepening joint re- 100 per cent FDI to manufacture the Views expressed are of the author and
Such a process simplifies integration, search and development (R&D) in Carl-Gustaf M4 system. do not necessarily reflect the views of
testing, maintenance and crew man- underwater systems, energy weapons, Concurrently, the UK under the the Manohar Parrikar IDSA or of the
ning. Expected operational advan- and defence innovation. Starmer government has reoriented Government of India.
tages include greater fuel efficiency, its industrial approach toward inno-
reduced acoustic signature for stealth, FUTURE CHALLENGES vation-led growth, identifying defence The full version of this article first
and abundant onboard electrical as one of eight priority sectors, apart appeared in the Comments section of
power to support high-energy sensors n recent times, the UK accounted from Advanced Manufacturing, Cre- the website (www.idsa.in) of Manohar
and future directed-energy weapons. for just over 3 per cent of India’s ative Industries, Digital and Technol- Parrikar Institute for Defense Studies and
The EPCP aims to accelerate In- Idefence acquisitions, which re- ogy, Life Sciences, Financial Services, Analyses, New Delhi, on October 1, 2025
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