Page 8 - ADT APRIL - MAY 2021 Online Magazine

Russia and India, is now in demand globally. [ ANALYSIS ]
Another example of successful co-develop-
ment is the Barak 8 missile with Israel, in which The Pacific Future

more than 70 per cent of the missile compo- Forum 2021
nents would be Indian.

The U.K. is looking at offering to co-develop The Pacific Future Forum 2021 - the annual defence, security,
programmes such as Type 26 frigates and trade and technology summit delivered in partnership with
MBDA missile programmes with high British the UK government - will take place in the Indo-Pacific from
content – where the U.K. can benefit from 31st August to 2nd September on the Royal Navy’s aircraft
Indian engineering skills and cost efficiencies. carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth. Held in the Indo-Pacific for
Co-development programmes can also help the first time, the Forum will provide a pivotal opportunity for
build confidence about U.K.’s long term com- nations in the Indo-Pacific to come together to demonstrate
mitment to India, and help the countries move the power of multilateralism in tackling the global crises of
away from a simple buyer-seller relationship. today. It will take place as the UK Government continues to
According to analysts, one of the reasons for advance its agenda for ‘Global Britain’ and works to expand
the relatively limited UK–India defence equip- the G7 to the ‘Democratic 10’. Lord Sedwill, Chairman of the
ment ties is the preference in New Delhi for Pacific Future Forum 2021 said:
government-to-government (G2G) agreements.
India’s two recent big defence procurements, “The Forum is Britain’s premier defence,
the Rafale fighter jets from France and S-400
Triumf air defence systems from Russia, were security and technology summit and we are
made through the G2G route. delighted to be hosting it in the Pacific for
The UK administration has realised this and the first time. This will be a seminal moment
has formulated an effective G2G framework to bring our nations together, strengthen
for defence deals with India, with a focus on our alliances and explore how we build the
co-development. Projects on the anvil include stronger, more united world we need.”
joint development of jet engine technology and
sixth-generation fighter jet technology that can
be used in India’s Advanced Medium Combat
Aircraft (AMCA) currently under development.
The UK has also offered designs of its Queen
Elizabeth-class carrier for the development
of India’s third aircraft carrier. There is also
interest in the Royal Navy’s integrated electric
propulsion system, which the Indian Navy is
looking for its future warships, and jet engine
technology.

A BAE Systems representative told Asian

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