Historic First: Indian Air Force to Train British Fighter Pilots in UK

• Indian Air Force (IAF) instructors will train British fighter pilots at Royal Air Force (RAF) Valley in the UK, a first-ever deployment.
• Three Qualified Flying Instructors (QFI) from IAF will impart fast jet training for an initial period of two years.
• This follows the deployment of an IAF officer as an instructor at Royal Air Force College Cranwell in January 2026.
• All three British military academies now host Indian officers as instructors, strengthening military cooperation.
• The enhanced training reflects deepening India-UK military engagements, including joint exercises and multilateral participation.