The bilateral maritime exercise KONKAN-2025 between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy (United Kingdom) commenced off the western coast of India, conducted in two phases. This edition reaffirms the India–UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the shared commitment under the India–UK Vision 2035 to maintain a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific.
About Exercise KONKAN
- Started in: 2004
- Nature: Bilateral maritime exercise between Indian Navy and Royal Navy.
- Frequency: Biennial (every two years).
- Named after: India’s strategically significant Konkan Coast along the western seaboard.
- Objective: Strengthen interoperability, maritime cooperation, and operational synergy between the two navies.
KONKAN-2025 – Key Highlights
Unique Features
- First-ever edition to feature both nations’ Carrier Strike Groups (CSGs) operating together.
- Marks a major step forward in joint blue-water naval operations between India and the UK.
- Reinforces cooperation for freedom of navigation, maritime security, and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Structure of the Exercise
Phase 1 – Harbour Phase:
- Venue: Western Coast of India.
- Activities:
- Professional exchanges and Subject Matter Expert interactions.
- Cross-deck visits between ships.
- Joint Working Group meetings.
- Cultural exchanges and sports fixtures between naval personnel.
Phase 2 – Sea Phase:
- Focus Areas:
- Anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare.
- Flying operations (fighter and helicopter sorties).
- Maritime domain awareness, search and rescue, and seamanship evolutions.
- Involves complex multi-platform operations demonstrating high-level coordination and combat readiness.
Participating Naval Assets
Indian Navy
- INS Vikrant – India’s first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-1) serving as the flagship of the Indian CSG.
- Other Units: Surface combatants, submarines, and maritime patrol aircraft.
- Air Wing:
- MiG-29K fighter jets.
- Kamov-31 and MH-60R Seahawk multi-role helicopters.
- Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Navy).
Royal Navy (UK)
- HMS Prince of Wales – 65,000-tonne Queen Elizabeth-class Aircraft Carrier (flagship of the UK CSG-25).
- Supporting Vessels:
- HMS Dauntless (Destroyer)
- HMS Richmond (Frigate)
- Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) support ships
- Air Wing:
- F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters.
- Merlin and Wildcat helicopters.
- The UK CSG-25 is part of the multinational Operation Highmast, with participation from Norway and Japan.
Strategic Context
Indo-Pacific Focus
- The Indo-Pacific region is a vital maritime corridor for global trade and security.
- The joint exercise underscores India and the UK’s commitment to uphold the rules-based maritime order amid rising geopolitical tensions.
- Both navies emphasized sea control, deterrence, and maritime domain awareness, reflecting shared priorities in ensuring regional stability.
Power Projection through CSGs
- Carrier Strike Groups (CSGs) symbolize modern naval power projection.
- Their coordinated operations ensure strategic reach, sea control, and multinational cooperation for disaster response, deterrence, and security missions.
Post-Exercise Activities
- After KONKAN-2025 concludes on 12 October 2025, the UK CSG-25 is scheduled to conduct a one-day exercise with the Indian Air Force off India’s western coast on 14 October 2025 before continuing its deployment.
Strategic Objectives
- Reinforce the India–UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership under Vision 2035.
- Promote joint maritime security and interoperability.
- Strengthen collaboration to maintain freedom of navigation and open sea lanes in the Indo-Pacific.
- Deepen defence diplomacy and operational integration between two major naval powers.
Significance
- Demonstrates India’s blue-water capability through INS Vikrant’s operational readiness.
- Enhances joint tactical coordination between carrier groups of two advanced navies.
- Strengthens global maritime cooperation frameworks for peace and stability.
- Serves as a deterrence-oriented exercise signaling commitment to a rules-based maritime order.
Other India–UK Defence Exercises
| Exercise | Forces Involved | Objective |
| AJEYA WARRIOR | Indian Army & British Army | Counter-terrorism and joint tactical drills. |
| INDRADHANUSH | Indian Air Force & Royal Air Force | Air combat and aerial operations training. |
| COBRA WARRIOR | Air Forces (UK-hosted) | Multinational aerial warfare exercise including India. |
| KONKAN | Indian Navy & Royal Navy | Maritime interoperability and security operations. |
Key Facts
INS Vikrant (IAC-1):
- India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier, commissioned in September 2022 at Cochin Shipyard, Kerala.
- Displacement: ~45,000 tonnes.
- Motto: Jayema Sam Yudhi Sprdhah (We conquer those who fight us).
HMS Prince of Wales:
- UK’s Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier.
- Displacement: ~65,000 tonnes.
- Operates F-35B Lightning II stealth jets.
India–UK Vision 2035:
- Announced in 2021, focusing on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership covering defence, trade, climate, technology, and people-to-people ties.
Carrier Strike Group (CSG):
- A naval task force centered around an aircraft carrier and its support ships (destroyers, frigates, submarines, and supply vessels).
- Serves as a floating airbase capable of long-range maritime operations.
Operation Highmast:
- A UK-led multinational deployment aimed at promoting global maritime cooperation and presence in the Indo-Pacific.
Konkan Coast (India):
- Stretches across Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka, part of India’s western coastline along the Arabian Sea.
- Strategically vital for India’s naval and trade operations.