India-UK Hold First Joint Carrier Strike Exercise

In a landmark moment for India-UK defence cooperation, both nations conducted their first-ever Combined Carrier Strike Group (CSG) exercise during Exercise Konkan 2025 off India’s western coast. The historic drills, held from October 5–9, involved full-scale air-sea warfare operations, highlighting growing strategic synergy in the Indo-Pacific region.

Exercise Konkan 2025: A Strategic Leap

Background

Exercise Konkan is a biennial bilateral naval exercise between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom, launched in 2004. Over the years, it has evolved from basic interoperability drills to complex maritime warfare exercises, reinforcing defence diplomacy and mutual trust.

The 2025 edition was especially significant as it marked,

• The first time both countries deployed their aircraft carriers in a joint strike group format
• A broader framework of multi-nation maritime partnership, with ships from Norway and Japan also participating

Highlights of the Carrier Strike Group Operations

Key Naval Assets Involved

• INS Vikrant – India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier
• HMS Prince of Wales – UK’s 65,000-tonne Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier
• HMS Richmond – Royal Navy frigate, docked in Mumbai post-exercise
• Support vessels, fighter jets, multi-role helicopters, and submarines from both fleets

The exercise simulated,

• Carrier-based air combat operations
• Anti-submarine warfare and coordinated surveillance
• Fleet defence and maritime interdiction
• Joint tactical manoeuvres in high seas

These activities showcased operational readiness, interoperability, and the ability to project power in blue-water scenarios.

Static Facts

• Exercise Name: Exercise Konkan 2025
• Type: Bilateral naval exercise (India-UK)
• First Held: 2004
• Frequency: Biennial
• 2025 Edition Dates: October 5–9, 2025
• Location: Arabian Sea, off India’s western coast
• First-Ever Event: Combined Carrier Strike Group (CSG) operations