The Defence Science Technology Laboratory (Dstl) in the UK and the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) in India are nearing completion of a Letter of Arrangement (LoA) (DRDO).
Jeremy Quin, the UK Defence Procurement Minister, confirmed the planned technology arrangement in response to a written parliamentary question on May 17.
The UK and India are expected to finalize a Letter of Arrangement between the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and India’s Defense Research and Development Organization,’ Quin wrote.
‘This will help to offer improved security capabilities through cooperative research, co-design, co-development and joint manufacture of defence technology and systems.’
The Dstl-DRDO relationship would focus on “important and developing military technology,” according to a joint UK-India statement published in late April.
During his trip to India in April, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, made an announcement about a “new and extended” Defense and Security Partnership. Johnson claimed that this partnership would enable India to improve its domestic defence sector.
India and the United Kingdom have formed a joint working group on the India-UK electric propulsion capacity partnership to promote military and industry cooperation on maritime electric propulsion systems.
The UK intends to offer an Open General Export Licence (OGEL) to India in the coming decade to enhance defence and security partnerships, cutting bureaucracy and speeding up delivery times for defence procurement.
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