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The British High Commission said ‘Exercise Konkan’ is aimed at increasing combined maritime and air capabilities between the Indian and UK navies on the high seas
The Indian Navy’s Carrier Strike Group is being led by INS Vikrant while HMS Prince of Wales is leading the UK Carrier Strike Group. (Image: Sourced)
The Indian Navy and the United Kingdom’s Carrier Strike Group, led by HMS Prince of Wales, began a joint military exercise in the western Indian Ocean on Sunday.
According to the British High Commission, ‘Exercise Konkan’ is aimed at increasing combined maritime and air capabilities between the two navies on the high seas.
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The Indian Navy’s Carrier Strike Group is being led by INS Vikrant while HMS Prince of Wales is leading the UK Carrier Strike Group (CSG). It is a Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier and the largest surface vessel ever constructed in the UK.
An official statement said while the exercise has been biennial since 2004, it marks the first time in history that a British and Indian Carrier Strike Group will conduct a maritime exercise together.
Commodore Chris Saunders MBE Royal Navy, defence adviser, British High Commission, underscored how ‘Exercise Konkan’ provides an excellent opportunity for the British Royal Navy to train in the delivery of complex multi-domain operations alongside India as partners in the Indo-Pacific region.
“The UK and India are two carrier operating countries, and the Royal Navy and Indian Navy are in a fairly exclusive club as blue-water, multi-carrier navies. This exercise provides another opportunity, a first with both carriers, for two maritime powers to enhance combined capability operating and share best practice. The UK is also proud to co-lead the Maritime Security Pillar of India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative,” Commodore Saunders said.
Commodore James Blackmore, who is the commander of the UK CSG, said: “It’s fantastic to work again with the Indian Navy during ‘Exercise Konkan’ to develop our combined operational capabilities. We’ve been collaborating to expand our defence capability, in support of the rules-based international system in the Indo-Pacific.”
WHAT IS THIS MILITARY EXERCISE?
‘Exercise Konkan’ is the biennial, bilateral maritime exercise conducted by the UK and India.
The British High Commission said the UK CSG conducted maritime exercises with the Indian Navy in June after entering the Indo-Pacific. This included a Combined Anti-Submarine Exercise (CASEX) involving the UK CSG and Indian Navy’s INS TABAR, a P8-I Neptune aircraft and an Indian submarine.
The official statement said the UK CSG, which is currently on an eight-month deployment known as ‘Operation Highmast’, has linked up with the Indian Navy’s Carrier Strike Group for four days of complex maritime exercises that will also involve submarines and various aircraft from both sides.
The UK CSG is formed around HMS Prince of Wales, the 65,000-tonne aircraft carrier, supported by a Type 45 destroyer, HMS Dauntless; a Type 23 frigate, HMS Richmond; Royal Fleet Auxiliary Support Ships; and ships of allies and partners. It operates F-35B Lightning aircraft, and Merlin and Wildcat helicopters, as standard.
The British High Commission said ‘Operation Highmast’ is a multinational deployment led by the UK CSG, which presents the opportunity for its armed forces to conduct a major global deployment and a chance to exercise complex operations alongside partners in the region, with 12 other nations supporting the deployment with ships or personnel.
It said after the completion of the exercise, CSG ships will visit ports in Mumbai and Goa to celebrate enhanced military interactions with India and showcase British trade and industry along with highlighting the bond between people and culture in the UK and India. British High Commissioner to India Lindy Cameron, in her remarks, highlighted how India and the UK believe in a free and open Indo-Pacific and an ambition for a modern defence and security partnership.
Cameron said this is a fundamental pillar of UK-India Vision 2035, agreed upon by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Keir Starmer earlier this year.
“The engagements between the Carrier Strike Groups of our two navies demonstrate our commitment to maintaining the rules-based international order in the region and lay the groundwork for future cooperation”, Cameron said.
On completion of the port visit, the UK CSG will participate in an aerial defence exercise with the Indian Air Force, allowing both the forces to test their tactics and share best practices.
Earlier in 2021, India and the UK conducted the first and biggest bilateral tri-service exercise ‘Konkan Shakti’, which involved all three forces from both countries, including the UK CSG led by HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier.
(With ANI inputs)
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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
October 05, 2025, 17:54 IST
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