India-UK Maritime Exercise Konkan-25

Summary of India-UK Naval Exercise Konkan-25

Event Details:

• Name: Konkan-25
• Duration: October 5 - October 12, 2023
• Location: Off the Western coast of India
• Participants:
  • Indian Navy's INS Vikrant (indigenous aircraft carrier)
  • UK Carrier Strike Group led by HMS Prince of Wales
  • Naval units from Japan (JS Akebono, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force)
  • Naval units from Norway (HNoMS Roald Amundsen, Royal Norwegian Navy)

Objectives:

• To enhance interoperability between the Indian Navy and Royal Navy.
• To conduct advanced maritime operational drills focusing on:
  • Anti-air exercises
  • Anti-surface operations
  • Anti-submarine tactics
  • Flying operations

Phases of the Exercise:

1. Sea Phase:
   • Involves complex maritime operational drills.
2. Harbour Phase:
   • Includes personnel interactions, cross-deck visits, sports fixtures, and cultural engagements.

Significance:

• This exercise has evolved in scale and complexity over two decades, promoting mutual understanding and operational synergy between India and the UK.
• It reaffirms the commitment to a secure and free maritime domain as articulated in the "India-UK Vision 2035."

Advanced Equipment:

• Indian Side:
  • INS Vikrant equipped with MiG-29K carrier-based multirole fighters.
• UK Side:
  • HMS Prince of Wales features F-35B stealth multirole fighters.

Further Developments:

• Following Konkan-25, the UK Carrier Strike Group is set to conduct a one-day exercise with the Indian Air Force on October 14, 2023.

Strategic Context:

• Konkan-25 serves as a platform for strengthening strategic ties between India and the UK, enhancing regional maritime stability, and supporting joint operational capabilities.

Key Takeaways:

• Bilateral Exercise: Enhances India-UK relations highlighting shared maritime interests.
• Strategic Partnership: Aligns with broader governmental strategies for defense cooperation and regional security.
• International Cooperation: Participation of allied nations (Japan and Norway) underscores multilateral defense ties.

Additional Information:

• The exercise is endorsed by the Ministry of Defence, showcasing a commitment to advancing operational readiness and strategic alignment in maritime security.