Exercise Konkan 2025 Begins Off India’s West Coast

Exercise Konkan 2025, a joint maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom, commenced on 5 October 2025 off India’s western coast. Marking over two decades of sustained collaboration, this edition of the exercise stands out for its enhanced scale and complexity, involving aircraft carriers, warships, submarines, and advanced air assets from both sides.

Konkan Naval exercise 2025

Harbour Phase: Engagement and Coordination

Held from 5 to 7 October, the harbour phase includes,

• Professional interactions and cross-deck visits
• Sports fixtures and cultural exchanges
• Joint Working Group meetings
• Subject Matter Expert exchanges

This phase sets the groundwork for better mutual understanding, tactical alignment, and knowledge sharing among naval personnel.

Sea Phase: Advanced Maritime Operations

The sea phase, scheduled from 8 to 12 October, will feature complex maritime drills such as,

• Anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare
• Flying operations
• Seamanship evolutions like replenishment-at-sea and coordinated maneuvering
• Both navies are deploying frontline warfighting assets, reflecting the exercise’s tactical depth and operational realism.

Key Participants and Naval Assets

This year’s edition includes significant deployment from both navies,

• From the Indian Navy:
• INS Vikrant, India’s indigenous aircraft carrier
• Accompanying carrier battle group, comprising destroyers, frigates, submarines, and naval aviation assets

From the UK,

• HMS Prince of Wales, flagship of the UK Carrier Strike Group (UK CSG 25)
• Additional support from Norway and Japan, enhancing the multilateral value of this year’s exercise

Strategic Importance

Exercise Konkan exemplifies the India–UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as outlined in the India-UK Vision 2035. Its primary objectives include,

• Strengthening interoperability between the two navies
• Reinforcing commitment to free, open, and secure maritime domains
• Promoting regional stability in the Indo-Pacific

The scale of Exercise Konkan 2025 positions it as a key maritime security event in the Indian Ocean Region this year.

What Follows: UK CSG–IAF Exercise

After the conclusion of Exercise Konkan 2025 on 12 October, the UK Carrier Strike Group will also conduct a one-day joint exercise with the Indian Air Force on 14 October 2025, further deepening bilateral defence cooperation beyond naval dimensions.

Key Takeaways

• Event: Exercise Konkan 2025
• Dates: 5 to 12 October 2025
• Participants: Indian Navy & Royal Navy (UK); support from Norway and Japan
• Assets: INS Vikrant, HMS Prince of Wales, submarines, frigates, aircraft
• Purpose: Enhance interoperability, maritime security, Indo-UK strategic partnership
• Vision Document: Aligned with India–UK Vision 2035
• Follow-up Exercise: UK Carrier Strike Group to hold joint drill with Indian Air Force on 14 October