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UK aerospace researchers and companies seek partnership opportunities

The British delegation is visiting Bangalore 22-24 April.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

The British Deputy High Commission Bangalore is organising a visit of five well known UK aerospace researchers and four companies to Bangalore on 22-24 April.

The delegation will explore partnerships with Indian research institutes and companies, and showcase the UK’s aerospace cutting edge research.

The five researchers are from Cranfield University, Queen’s University and the University of Manchester.

The UK Science and Innovation Network and UK Trade and Investment is organising their visit to India. On 22 April the delegates will take part in a UK – India workshop on Advanced Airframe Technologies co-hosted with the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL). Discussion areas will include advanced materials and design and vehicle health monitoring.

On 23 April, the delegates will take part in the Technologies and Materials for the Future Air Vehicle session– an industry interactive programme organised with the Society of Automotive Engineers – Aerospace Chapter. There will be presentations and discussions around Intelligent Aircraft and UAVs, and All Composites Planes and their challenges.

Delegates will also visit Indian companies and research institutes such as Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) while in Bangalore.

Ian Felton, British Deputy High Commissioner, Bangalore said: “I am delighted that a high technology mission of top UK aerospace researchers and companies will have focused sessions with their Indian counterparts during the week. We are keen to strengthen our research and commercial relationships in the aerospace sector which are so vital for the future of the UK and Indian industry.”

UK researchers in the group are:

  • Prof Brian G. Falzon, Royal Academy of Engineering - Bombardier Chair in Aerospace Composites, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Queen’s University.

  • Prof Constantinos Soutis, Chair of Aerospace Engineering, Director of the Aerospace Research Institute, University of Manchester

  • Dr Adrian Murphy, Director of Research - Aerospace & Manufacturing, Queen’s University

  • Prof. Ian Jennions: Director, IVHM Centre, Cranfield University.

  • Mr. Andrew Shaw, National Centre Manager, EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Through-life Engineering Services, Cranfield University

UK companies in the group are:

  • BAe Systems,

  • Group Rhodes,

  • Blue Bear Systems and Research

  • Delcam

Further information

  • For queries, please contact Sunil Kumar on +91 9980226441.

  • The UK has the largest aerospace industry in Europe, and the second largest in the world, with a 17% global market share. It had a turnover of over $35bn in 2011.

  • The aerospace sector spends about $3billion per year on research and development. The UK is at the forefront of sustainable aviation developments. Environmental technology accounts for as much as 75% of the R&D spend carried out by UK aerospace companies. Major R&D programmes include the Rolls-Royce led Environmentally Friendly Engine and the Next Generation Composite Wing project being led by Airbus UK.

  • More than 2500 aerospace companies operate in the UK, including undisputed global leaders from the UK such as BAE Systems, GKN and Rolls-Royce, European leaders such as Airbus, Cobham and Thales and large global businesses such as Boeing and Bombardier.

  • UK Trade & Investment (UKTI): UKTI is the government organisation that helps UK-based companies succeed in international markets and targets high quality inward investment for the UK.

  • UK Science and Innovation Network (S&IN): S&IN in India responds to emerging science and policy priorities and aim to facilitate new scientific partnerships and catalyse the early stages of new collaborations. It encourages, promotes and facilitates R&D collaborations between academia, research establishments and businesses in the UK and their Indian partners.

  • On twitter @UKinIndia

Published 19 April 2013
Last updated 23 April 2013 + show all updates
  1. Hindi translation added

  2. First published.