Overview
- The cross‑training arrangement was announced during Narendra Modi’s meeting with Keir Starmer and is confirmed by both sides as part of wider defence cooperation.
- Operations are not expected to begin before October 2026 because the Indian instructors must complete UK familiarisation on RAF jets that could take up to a year.
- The instructors will teach at No. 4 Flying Training School on the BAE Hawk T2 and are expected to be based on Anglesey for up to three years.
- Financial terms reported by officials state India will pay the instructors’ salaries while the UK Ministry of Defence will provide accommodation.
- Officials frame the move as strengthening interoperability and ties following joint exercises and a reported £350 million missile deal, while some commentators link it to RAF training capacity pressures.