New Delhi: Taking a substantial step towards strengthening the bilateral military alliance between India and the United Kingdom (UK), British Navy warships are scheduled to undergo maintenance and repair at Indian dockyards.
Insiders reveal that the Littoral Response Group is preparing for maritime exercises with the Indian Navy. Following these exercises, the warships will be stationed in India for essential maintenance and repairs.
In the past year, the Royal Air Force (RAF) aircraft, including four Typhoons and one Voyager, made two refueling stops at Indian air bases, underscoring the deepening military cooperation. The RAF, representing the UK’s air and space force, is actively involved in fostering ties with India.
The precedent set by the US Navy, which had its ships undergo repairs in India, is noteworthy. The US Navy Ship (USNS) Charles Drew underwent maintenance in Chennai in August 2022, followed by the USNS Matthew Perry completing maintenance works in India in March 2023.
The British High Commission (BHC) has confirmed its intention to deploy the UK’s high-readiness Littoral Response Group to the Indian Ocean Region in 2024 and the Carrier Strike Group in 2025 for joint training. The deployment of the UK’s advanced naval capabilities is viewed as a significant step towards bolstering UK-India security ties.
This announcement from the BHC coincided with the visit of Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to the UK, marking him as the first Indian Defence Minister to visit the UK since George Fernandes in 2002.
These developments align with the comprehensive strategic partnership outlined in the 2030 India-UK roadmap. The ambitious ‘Roadmap 2030,’ adopted by then British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2021, aims to elevate bilateral ties to a ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.’
Looking ahead, the UK and India are poised to participate in more intricate military exercises, culminating in a landmark joint exercise before the end of 2030, as articulated by the BHC.
