The IAF also praised the QFIs’ deployment as a ‘landmark step in strengthening our shared commitment to professional excellence, interoperability and enduring India–UK ties.
3 India Air Force Qualified Flying Instructors Join RAF: India has achieved another historic milestone. Three Indian Air Force Qualified Flying Instructors (QFIs) have joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) Valley in Wales, UK, to train British fast-jet pilots.
Announcing the historic achievement in a post on X, the media coordination centre of the Indian Air Force said, ‘A historic first in India–UK defence cooperation. Three Indian Air Force Qualified Flying Instructors (QFIs) have joined RAF Valley, Wales, to instruct Royal Air Force pilots — marking the first deployment of Indian QFIs to the UK.’ Apart from this, the IAF also praised the QFIs’ deployment as a ‘landmark step in strengthening our shared commitment to professional excellence, interoperability and enduring India–UK ties.’
The development comes after Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh in April held talks with Jonathan Nicholas Powell, National Security Advisor of the UK, on regional security developments. During the meeting, both Singh and Powell reviewed the progress of existing India-UK defence cooperation frameworks.
This is the first time in bilateral military history that flying instructors of the Indian Air Force have been deployed in Britain with such an important training responsibility.
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