Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and A|D|S, the UK’s AeroSpace, Defence and Security trade organisation, today , signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that recognises the benefit that increased co-operation between the two bodies can bring to both UK and Indian industry and that will also see an increase in joint activities between the two organisations.

A|D|S has a history of working in India, through the former Defence Manufacturers Association office in New Delhi, and has also opened a Bangalore office in October 2009 that will be officially launched tomorrow (19 February 2010).

Mr Gurpal Singh, Dy Director General , CII , said:

India and the UK have a strong strategic relationship. It is evident by the level of cooperation that has been achieved in science and technology, education and security-related issues. The huge Indian Defence market has the potential to attract the UK defence manufacturers and thus offers a great opportunity for building long term relations in the defence industry as well. However, till date, the process has been spotty and less than fully coherent. India’s acquisition of UK defence equipment and access to UK defence industry is still very small. Joint research and development is there in some form but has seen only limited success. There is a need to enhance the interaction between the Tier 1 and Tier 2 companies of both the countries. We as an industry association are working towards it. He emphasized that The British companies should be able and willing to help India by locating their production in India, by transferring their high technology, knowledge, research and development to India in order to support the indigenization process.

Rees Ward, Chief Executive of A|D|S, said:

“The UK is number one in Europe and number two in the world behind only the US in aerospace, defence and security. India is a major global player and a vital market in its own right. Together companies in both countries can create lasting partnerships to deliver lasting economic and employment benefits to both our nations.

”In the rapidly evolving aerospace, defence and security market, India has demonstrated time and time again that it is now one of the most exciting and innovative countries with which to work. As the UK’s trade organisation for these sectors it is clear to us that building closer ties with the Confederation of Indian Industry will benefit UK and Indian companies alike.

“The Memorandum of Understanding is an important step towards increased cooperation between our two organisations and their member companies., It is further evidence of the mutual recognition and respect both UK and Indian industry have developed. As A|D|S further establishes its position in India with an additional office in Bangalore to complement our operations out of New Delhi, we look forward to working closely with the CII in the future to the benefit of members of both organisations.”

Highlights of the MOU :

• The CII will recognise A|D|S as the national trade organisation in the United Kingdom, which represents the full range of the AeroSpace, Defence and Security Industries in that country;
• A|D|S will recognise the CII as a national organisation in India, which represents a wide range of the AeroSpace, Defence and Security Industries in that country;
• The CII and A|D|S will share information by exchange of appropriate newsletters, bulletins, press releases, etc. that may potentially be of mutual interest;
• The CII and A|D|S will aim to give maximum adequate advance notice of events of potential interest to their respective Memberships through regular calendar exchange, in order to maximise attendance from both sides;
• The CII and A|D|S will co-ordinate, wherever practicable, on mutually relevant issues and activities. Where appropriate and consistent with the policies of each Association, co-ordination may be extended to detailed co-operative arrangements in support of specific activities. These arrangements shall be authorised on a case-by-case basis by the CEO of A|D|S and the Director General of the CII;
• The CII and A|D|S will aim to organise Indo-British Industry Conclaves timed to coincide alongside major local events, like the biennial DEFEXPO international land and naval systems exhibition, Aero India, DSEi and the Farnborough Air Show.
• The CII and A|D|S, having expertise in the Offsets sector, will organise joint events on this theme, either locally or globally, for the mutual benefit of their respective Memberships.
• The CII and A|D|S will organise inward and outward trade missions on a regular basis.
  The CII and A|D|S will agree upon the conditions for financing before commencement of an activity.
• The CII and A|D|S will consult each other before any information received in relation to this MoU is disclosed to any third party.
• Any difficulty arising in relation to this MoU shall be resolved through mutual consultations between CII and A|D|S
• The CII and A|D|S agree to indemnify each other against any loss or damage caused to the other in relation to this MoU after mutual consultations.
• The CII and A|D|S shall abide by the laws, rules and regulations including Government instructions of their respective countries.
• The CII and A|D|S shall respect the respective intellectual property rights of the parties

New Delhi
18th February 2010