Carriers INS Vikrant, HMS Prince of Wales lead 8-day Indo-UK naval exercise off Western coast

Both nations have deployed frontline assets for the exercise, including aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates, submarines and integral and shore-based air assets. JS Akebono of the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force and HNoMS Roald Amundsen of the Royal Norwegian Navy are also taking part.

The exercise will be conducted in two phases. The sea phase involves complex maritime operational drills focusing on anti-air, anti-surface and anti-submarine exercises along with flying operations, the Indian Navy said. The harbour phase includes interactions between naval personnel, cross-deck visits, sports fixtures and cultural engagements.

“Indian Navy and Royal Navy bilateral Exercise Konkan-25 commenced on October 5, off the western coast of India. Over the past two decades, this exercise has grown significantly in scale and complexity, fostering enhanced interoperability and mutual understanding in maritime operations between the two navies,” a statement from the Ministry of Defence said on Sunday.

“Participation of the UK Carrier Strike Group (UK CSG 25), led by HMS Prince of Wales, including assets from Norway and Japan, has added sheen to this year’s edition of the exercise. The Indian side will be represented by the carrier battle group of the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant in company with other surface, sub-surface and air combatants,” the statement read.

While INS Vikrant is carrying Mig-29K carrier-based multirole fighters, the HMS Prince of Wales has F-35B stealth multirole fighters onboard.

“This exercise is a reaffirmation of the shared commitment to ensuring secure, open and free seas and will exemplify the comprehensive strategic partnership outlined in ‘India-UK Vision 2035’,” said the Defence Ministry statement.

After Konkan 2025 concludes, the UK carrier strike group is scheduled to participate in a one-day exercise with the Indian Air Force off the Western coast on October 14.

“Exercise Konkan 2025 will serve as a platform to consolidate strategic ties, enhance interoperability and contribute to regional maritime stability,” the statement read.

An Indian Navy post on X post read: “IndianNavy – RoyalNavy bilateral Exercise Konkan-25 is scheduled from October 5 to 12, off the western coast of India. To be conducted both at harbour and at sea, the exercise aims to enhance interoperability through conduct of advanced drills encompassing all domains of maritime operations. The exercise will witness participation of the Western Fleet units, led by the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, under Indian Navy’s Western Naval Command and units of UK Carrier Strike Group led by HMS Prince of Wales, along with JS Akebono (of Japan Maritime Self Defence Force) and HNoMS Roald Amundsen (of the Royal Norwegian Navy).”