Make in India: UK offers India defence technology for weapons
The United Kingdom has offered India cutting-edge defence technology for co-producing weapon systems to jointly become the "world beaters" in arms exports. The move is aimed at strengthening its cooperation with India to effectively deal with terrorism and extremism. Britain's Defence Secretary Michael Fallon, who is on a four-day visit to India, said terrorism and extremism are a major challenge facing the globe.
UK keen on enhancing the Indo-UK relations
The UK is the world's second biggest arms exporter after the US and a leading military platforms supplier to India. India has the world's third-largest military force and is the ninth highest defence spender. Post-Brexit, the UK is looking to boost ties with other countries, including India. India and the UK aim to deepen defence and security partnership to better combat global threats.
The first India-UK Strategic Dialogue
British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon arrived in India to hold the first India-UK Strategic Dialogue, expected to increase cooperation in science and technology, research and development, and countering extremism. He is the third British Cabinet Minister to visit India, after Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond and Energy Minister Greg Clark. The visit is expected to further cement UK-India Defence and International Security Partnership.
Will try to better understand Indian Armed Forces' requirements: Fallon
Fallon said he will try to "better understand" the Indian armed forces' requirements while in India. The UK may urge India to purchase 'Advanced Hawk' trainer aircraft (recently unveiled at Aero India-2017), jointly-developed by BAE Systems and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd for the Indian Air Force. It is also expected to field 'Eurofighter Typhoon'; the Indian Navy plans to procure 57 new carrier-based fighters.
UK plans to make India an export hub
Michael Fallon said: "I am here not just to see what more we can 'Make In India' or make with India, but to see what more we can design, develop, add value with India and export together to third countries and to new markets."
Terrorism cannot be excused or justified
The UK earlier made it "very clear" that terrorism cannot be excused or justified. Fallon and a high-powered delegation are in India to hold the first India-UK Strategic Dialogue with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who also holds the charge of defence currently. The Dialogue was agreed to during PM Narendra Modi's Nov'15 London Visit as a part of bilateral defence and international security partnership.
The need to strengthen cyber-security cooperation
Fallon stressed the need to strengthen cyber-security cooperation in a bid to counter the increasing online radicalism of youth. The British Minister said his country is looking to bolster ties with major economies like India post-Brexit. He added the combination of "British expertise and experience with Indian intelligence and brainpower" could be a game-changer in the defence production area.
Not just a market, but a launch-pad
Adding India isn't only a market but a launch-pad to develop top-notch weapons and technologies, Fallon said: "In next 12 months I want to see the capability partnerships take off. We, together, can be world-beaters. We are looking at government-to-government framework for transfer of technology."
