Defence Procurement Minister Harriett Baldwin joined 20 UK companies at the recent Aero India trade show, which was held at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru.

Her visit builds on the Defence and International Security Partnership that was agreed by the two countries in November 2015.

The minister called on UK and Indian companies to develop and sustain long-term industrial partnerships, “to meet the challenges of the future and launch new products into the global market-place”.

She added: “The UK and India have much to offer one another in defence: from manufacturing collaboration and simplified export controls, to military co-operation, training and research partnerships.

“As Britain steps up globally, we will work together with India to build knowledge, security and prosperity through a close industrial, military and economic partnership.”

The UK companies and organisations attending the event under the umbrella of aerospace-support group ADS included Airborne International Ltd, Cobham, Cranfield University, Gardner Aerospace, Nasmyth Group Ltd, Rolls-Royce, Ultra Electronics and UTC Aerospace.