IAF’s Sukhois, Jaguars join F-35Bs from HMS Prince of Wales for joint exercise in Indian Ocean Region

The joint exercise between IAF’s airborne assets and those of the Royal Navy comes after Exercise Konkan in which the Indian Navy’s Carrier Strike Group led by INS Vikrant and the UK Carrier Strike Group led by HMS Prince of Wales operated together for the first time. Exercise Konkan, named after the strategically crucial region on the Western coast of India, is undertaken every two years to enhance joint maritime and air capabilities between the Indian and UK navies on the high seas.

On October 10, interacting with the media onboard Anti Submarine Warfare Frigate HMS Richmond, which was docked at Mumbai, Commodore Blackmore, the Commander of the UK Carrier Strike Group, had commented on the proposed exercise with the IAF. Commodore Blackmore had said, “After doing some great work with the Indian Navy, as we depart from Mumbai and Goa, it would be an opportunity to operate the carrier air wing from the HMS Prince of Wales really closely with the Indian Air Force. It goes to show that we are not only partnered in the maritime domain but also in the air environments as well.”

The UK Carrier Strike Group led by HMS Prince of Wales is currently on an eight-month multinational deployment known as Operation Highmast. The UK CSG is formed around HMS Prince of Wales — the 65,000 tonnes Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carrier. She is supported by a Destroyer HMS Dauntless, a Frigate HMS Richmond, and Royal Fleet Auxiliary Support Ships and ships of allies and partners. The CSG operates F-35B Lightning aircraft, and Merlin and Wildcat helicopters.