Colonial Tables Turned? IAF 'Top Guns' To Train UK's Royal Air Force

In a historic role reversal of sorts, two 'top guns' from the Indian Air Force (IAF) will train UK's Royal Air Force (RAF) fighter pilots at a training school in Anglesey on the northwest coast of Wales.

As per reports, India will be sending two top IAF pilots - both Hawk-qualified flying trainers - as instructors to RAF Valley's No. 4 Flying Training School.While the IAF pilots will receive their salaries from India, their accommodation will be taken care of by the UK. They are expected to be based in the UK for up to three years.The No. 4 school is where the UK's next generation of fighter pilots train on the BAE Hawk TMk2 aircraft. This is the same jet used by the IAF for advanced pilot training.A TOI report quoted a senior RAF source as saying, "The start date remains to be confirmed; however it will not be before October 2026. UK familiarisation and training may take up to a year or less, depending on experience."The RAF source added, "Having FN Qualified Flying Instructors (QFIs) involved in the UK training system provides several defence engagement benefits to both the RAF and the partner nation. The wider benefit is the building and enhancing of interoperability with a partner nation, jointly strengthening bilateral relationships through the building of trust in a core endeavour of providing world-leading flying training. The knowledge exchange that occurs from the interaction with international trainees and trainers allows for the exchange of tactics, techniques, and procedures."The collaboration comes days after India and UK announced a defence pact following UK PM Keir Starmer's visit.The plan was first announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Under the agreement, the two nations have also signed a £350 million defence deal for lightweight multirole missiles for the Indian Army.The Indian Air Force currently ranks as the third strongest air force in the world, after the US and Russia, as per the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft. The UK RAF is ranked eighth.