In a major development aimed at fortifying bilateral defence ties, British Defence Minister Grant Shapps revealed plans to deploy an aircraft carrier strike group to the Indian Ocean Region in 2025. This announcement came during the visit of Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to the United Kingdom, marking a historic moment as it is the first visit by an Indian defence minister to the UK in two decades.
The strategic move reflects the commitment of both nations to strengthen their defence cooperation, particularly in the context of evolving security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. Shapps also disclosed that a high-readiness littoral response group is set to be dispatched to the Indian Ocean Region a year earlier, in 2024.
In a joint statement, the defence ministers of India and the UK emphasized the shared security challenges faced by both nations and their dedication to upholding a free and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Shapps highlighted the increasing global contestation and stressed the importance of building on strategic relationships with key partners like India.
“Collaboration with industry is also key in the strategic defence partnership between the UK and India,” Shapps stated, underlining the joint efforts on electric propulsion systems for future fleets and cooperation on the development of advanced weaponry.
During their discussions, the two sides agreed to elevate their defence partnership by engaging in more complex military exercises. The move reflects a mutual recognition of the evolving nature of security threats and the necessity to enhance interoperability between the armed forces of India and the UK.
Furthermore, New Delhi and London expressed their commitment to expanding instructor exchanges between office training colleges and specialist schools. This initiative aims to foster a deeper understanding of each other’s military doctrines and operational practices. Additionally, the two nations are working towards signing an agreement on logistics exchange, facilitating joint training, port visits, and humanitarian assistance operations.
Research and development (R&D) emerged as a key focus area in the discussions, with both countries expressing a desire to collaborate on the development of next-generation capabilities. This signifies a forward-looking approach, acknowledging the importance of technological advancements in modern warfare and security.
As part of the broader strategy to institutionalize and streamline defence collaboration, India and the UK jointly announced the launch of Defence Partnership-India. Described as a “bespoke” office, it will serve as a dedicated platform to facilitate and promote defence cooperation between the two nations. This office is expected to play a crucial role in coordinating joint initiatives, information sharing, and strategic planning.
The culmination of these agreements and announcements underscores the commitment of India and the UK to deepen their defence ties. The joint efforts encompass a spectrum of activities, ranging from military deployments and exercises to collaborative research and development. The strategic significance of these developments is heightened by the geopolitical context of an increasingly contested world and the shared commitment to ensuring a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
As the plans unfold and collaborative initiatives involving carrier materialize, the evolving India-UK defence partnership will likely contribute to regional and global security dynamics, fostering stability and cooperation in the strategically vital Indo-Pacific region. The deployment of the aircraft carrier strike group and the littoral response group serves as tangible evidence of the tangible steps both nations are taking to enhance their capabilities and address common security challenges.
