Indian Air Force Instructors To Train RAF Fighter Pilots

India and the United Kingdom have agreed to deepen military training cooperation, with Indian Air Force instructors set to train British fast jet pilots for the first time. The decision was announced following the 19th UK-India Air Staff Talks held in New Delhi.

Under the agreement, three Qualified Flying Instructors (QFIs) from the Indian Air Force will be deployed to RAF Valley, the United Kingdom’s premier training base for fast jet pilots. The deployment is initially planned for a two-year period.

First-Ever IAF Training Role At RAF Valley

This marks the first occasion that Indian QFIs will impart fast jet training to Royal Air Force pilots at RAF Valley. The move reflects growing trust and operational compatibility between the two air forces.

It follows the January 2026 deployment of an Indian Air Force officer as an instructor at the Royal Air Force College Cranwell, which trains future RAF officers.

Indian Officers Across UK Military Academies

With the latest development, Indian officers are now serving as instructors across all three major British military academies. An Indian Navy officer has been posted at the Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth since May 2024, while an Indian Army officer has been serving at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst since May 2025.

The presence of Indian instructors across the UK’s premier defence institutions underlines the expanding scope of bilateral military cooperation.

Expanding Defence Engagement

India-UK defence ties have intensified in recent years. In 2025, both nations conducted their largest-ever maritime exercise involving Carrier Strike Groups. This was followed by the joint Army exercise Ajeya Warrior in Rajasthan.

The Indian Air Force participated in the UK’s multilateral air exercise Cobra Warrior in 2023 for the first time, while the Royal Air Force joined India’s Tarang Shakti exercise in 2024.

Important Facts for Exams

• RAF Valley is the UK’s primary fast jet training base.
• Air Staff Talks are annual high-level military consultations between India and the UK.
• Cobra Warrior is a multilateral air exercise hosted by the UK.
• Tarang Shakti is a multilateral air combat exercise hosted by India.

Strategic Significance Of Air Staff Talks

The UK-India Air Staff Talks are annual engagements typically attended by senior two-star officers and above. They review operational cooperation, training exchanges and future collaboration areas.

The latest agreement signals enhanced interoperability and mutual confidence, reinforcing defence ties between the two strategic partners.