UK’s planned transfer of jet engine technology to India will be “historic” as it will be the largest such transfer by Britain to any country and will empower India to export future jets on its own terms, enhancing its sovereignty, UK minister of state for defence Alex Chalk said at the UP Global Investors Summit.
Chalk was referring to UK’s transfer of jet technology to India which was agreed upon in April last year when then UK PM Boris Johnson visited India.
Jet engine advanced core technology is a key know-how that India has been looking for to cut dependence on foreign suppliers. Chalk said a sovereign and resilient India was important for the entire world considering growing global dangers and China’s “belligerence” challenging the international rules-based order.
He hailed the UK-UP partnership and shared British businesses have signed a total of seven MoUs worth 165 million pounds (₹1,642 crore) in various sectors in the state. Calling UP the fastest growing state in the country and a hub of research and development, he likened UP to UK, saying it is “as hungry” for its future as UK is.
“…and tomorrow, I look forward to emphasize it to Indian defence colleagues that the UK stands ready to commit to something truly historic- the largest ever transfer of jet engine technology from Britain to any other nation in our history; technology that will give India sovereign, Make in India and intellectual capabilities that will ensure it becomes one of just six countries in the world to own this cutting-edge capability… That will empower this country to export future fighters on India’s terms, in India’s interests around the world – no export condition, no strings attached- sovereign Indian capability,” Chalk said.
“A sovereign, self reliant, resilient India, with a sovereign defence jet industry to match is not just good for India and the region, it is vital for the world… there is a growing inescapable feeling that the world is becoming more dangerous and I know this audience and this CM (Yogi) doesn’t need to be reminded that China ‘s increasing belligerence poses systematic challenges to the international- rules based order, the UK minister said.
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