Source: News on Air
Context:
Exercise KONKAN-2025, a bilateral naval exercise between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy (UK), commenced off the western coast of India on 5 October 2025. The exercise reaffirms both nations’ commitment to a secure, open, and free Indo-Pacific and aligns with the India–UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership outlined in Vision 2035.
Key Highlights:
- Duration & Phases:
- Conducted in two phases (5–12 October 2025) — Harbour Phase and Sea Phase.
- Harbour Phase (5–8 October):
- Includes professional interactions, cross-deck visits, sports fixtures, and cultural exchanges.
- Joint Working Group meetings and Subject Matter Expert (SME) exchanges to strengthen operational understanding.
- Sea Phase (9–12 October):
- Involves complex maritime operations, including:
- Anti-Air, Anti-Surface, and Anti-Submarine Warfare drills.
- Flying operations and seamanship evolutions.
- Focus on interoperability and joint mission capability across domains.
- Involves complex maritime operations, including:
- Forces Involved:
- Indian Navy: Carrier Battle Group led by INS Vikrant along with other surface, sub-surface, and air assets.
- Royal Navy: UK Carrier Strike Group (CSG-25) led by HMS Prince of Wales, with participation from Norway and Japan.
- Follow-up Exercise:
- After KONKAN-2025, UK CSG-25 will conduct a one-day aerial defence exercise with the Indian Air Force on 14 October 2025.
