First time since World War II, Indian Air Force is training British fighter pilots; Reputation of Indian flight instructors boosts globally

New Delhi: The British Royal Air Force (RAF) will use India(BHARAT)n flight instructors to train its pilots. This decision was taken in light of the Royal Air Force’s shortage of flight instructors. It is also being seen as a growing defence partnership between India(BHARAT) and the UK. It is believed that this is the first time since World War II that India(BHARAT)n pilots will train RAF pilots. This arrangement comes at a time when many air forces around the world are facing pilot shortages and training difficulties. The Royal Air Force is grappling with a shortage of trainer pilots and reliability issues with the Hawk T2.

Why the British Air Force is in trouble

The RAF is having difficulty maintaining a full complement of qualified instructors, in part due to ongoing technical problems with its BAE Systems Hawk T2 advanced jet trainer. These aircraft problems have forced the RAF to send some trainee pilots abroad for training. The Royal Air Force’s Hawk T2 aircraft is also experiencing engine problems, which limit its flying hours. This aircraft is also rapidly ageing. The Royal Air Force has been unable to procure replacement trainer aircraft.

India(BHARAT)n Air Force has an advantage

In contrast, India(BHARAT) operates its own Hawk fleet, licensed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which provides its instructors with relevant experience with this type of aircraft. This is why the UK has planned to train its pilots in collaboration with India(BHARAT). This will not only strengthen the military relationship between the two countries but will also enhance the reputation of India(BHARAT)n flight instructors globally.

Britain wants to train pilots faster

To train pilots faster, the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) has reduced the fast-jet pilot training period from 248 weeks to 187 weeks in 2022. The aim is to clear the backlog of trainees waiting to transition to frontline aircraft. “The RAF currently has a sufficient number of pilots and aircrew available for frontline duty,” the Ministry of Defence said in a statement. It added that the inclusion of India(BHARAT)n instructors is “not related to past issues” with the British flying training system but is part of a broader effort to “improve international relations.”