New Delhi [India], October 5 (ANI): The United Kingdom’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG), led by the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, has begun Exercise Konkan with the Indian Navy in the Western Indian Ocean, the British High Commission announced on Sunday.
Exercise Konkan aims to enhance combined maritime and air capabilities between the Indian and British navies on the high seas. Although the exercise has been held biennially since 2004, this marks the first time in history that both nations’ Carrier Strike Groups are participating together, the statement noted.
The UK CSG, currently on an eight-month deployment under Operation Highmast, has joined the Indian Navy’s Carrier Strike Group led by INS Vikrant for four days of complex maritime operations. These will involve submarines and aircraft from both forces.
The UK CSG is centered around HMS Prince of Wales, a 65,000-tonne Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier — the largest surface vessel ever built in the UK. The strike group also includes the Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless, the Type 23 frigate HMS Richmond, Royal Fleet Auxiliary support ships, and vessels from allied nations. The group operates F-35B Lightning aircraft, as well as Merlin and Wildcat helicopters.
Operation Highmast is a multinational deployment allowing the UK Armed Forces to conduct large-scale global exercises with regional partners. Twelve other nations are supporting the deployment with ships or personnel.
Upon completion of the exercise, CSG ships will visit Mumbai and Goa to celebrate deepening military ties with India, showcase British trade and industry, and highlight the strong “living bridge” of people and culture between the two countries, the statement added.
British High Commissioner to India Lindy Cameron emphasized that both India and the UK share a commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and a modern defence and security partnership — a key pillar of the UK-India Vision 2035 agreed upon by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer earlier this year.
“The engagements between the Carrier Strike Groups of our two navies demonstrate our commitment to maintaining the rules-based international order in the region and lay the groundwork for future cooperation,” Cameron said.
Commodore Chris Saunders, Defence Adviser at the British High Commission, said Exercise Konkan offers an excellent opportunity for the Royal Navy to train alongside the Indian Navy in complex multi-domain operations. “The UK and India are both carrier-operating nations and belong to a select group of blue-water, multi-carrier navies. This exercise, the first involving both carriers, allows two maritime powers to strengthen interoperability and share best practices,” he said.
Commodore James Blackmore, Commander of the UK Carrier Strike Group, added, “It’s fantastic to work again with the Indian Navy during Exercise Konkan to develop our combined operational capabilities. We’ve been collaborating to expand our defence cooperation in support of a rules-based international system in the Indo-Pacific.”
Following port visits, the UK CSG will participate in an aerial defence exercise with the Indian Air Force, providing both forces an opportunity to test tactics and exchange operational knowledge.
Exercise Konkan is a biennial bilateral maritime drill between the UK and India. The CSG previously trained with the Indian Navy in June after entering the Indo-Pacific, including a Combined Anti-Submarine Exercise (CASEX) with INS Tabar, a P-8I Neptune aircraft, and an Indian submarine.
In 2021, both nations held the first and largest bilateral tri-service exercise, Konkan Shakti, involving all three branches of the military, including the UK’s Carrier Strike Group led by HMS Queen Elizabeth.
The official statement underscored the Indo-Pacific’s strategic importance for the UK, calling it vital for economic growth, clean energy ambitions, and global security. The deployment, it said, reflects the UK’s steadfast commitment to the region. (ANI)
About The Author
