In October 2025, the India Navy (IN) and the Royal Navy (RN) of the United Kingdom (UK), have initiated the bilateral maritime exercise ‘KONKAN-2025’ off India’s western coast.
- The Exercise KONKAN-25, scheduled from October 5 to 12, 2025, is being conducted in two phases: the Harbour Phase and the Sea Phase.
- The 2025 edition marks the first time India, and the UK have deployed their full Carrier Strike Groups (CSGs) for a joint maritime exercise.
Exam Hints:
- What? Bilateral maritime exercise KONKAN-2025
- Participants:Indian Navy, Royal Navy of the UK
- When? From October 5 to 12, 2025
- Where? Off the western coast of India
- Naval Assets: INS Vikrant (India), HMS Prince of Wales (UK)
- Additional Participants: Norway, Japan
- Significance: First time full CSGs of India and the UK participated
- History: Institutionalized in 2004
Background:
Origin: Named after India’s western coastal region, Exercise KONKAN is a bilateral maritime exercise.
History: Institutionalized in 2004, the exercise has since been hosted alternately by the IN and the Royal Navy.
Exercise KONKAN-2025:
Aim: To enhance interoperability, mutual understanding, and maritime security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
Naval Assets: Indian Naval Ship (INS) Vikrant, the flagship of its Carrier Battle Group along with associated surface ships, submarines, and aviation assets. Representing the UK, Her Majesty’s Ship (HMS) Prince of Wales of the UK led its CSG 2025 with Royal Navy destroyers, frigates, and support vessels.
- For the first time, assets from Norway and Japan are participating in KONKAN-25, reflecting the growing multilateral cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region
Harbour Phase: It was held from October 5 to 8, 2025, with a focus on professional, cultural, and operational exchanges, including cross-deck visits between ships of IN and RN, joint sports fixtures, and cultural engagements.
- Additionally, workshops, Joint Working Group (JWG) meetings, and Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE) were conducted.
Sea Phase: It was held from October 9 to 12, 2025, emphasizing operational drills and combat readiness. It includes Anti-Air Warfare (AAW) for coordinated defence against aerial threats, Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW), focusing on ship-to-ship tactical operations, and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) involving submarine detection and neutralization.
- It also includes flying operations with carrier-based aircraft maneuvers and joint aerial drills, seamanship evolutions encompassing ship handling, formation sailing, and other naval maneuvers.
Significance: The exercise underscores the strengthening defense ties between India and the UK, aligning with the India–UK Vision 2035.
Post-Exercise Engagements: On October 14, 2025, following the Exercise KONKAN-25, the UK CSG will participate in a one-day aerial defence exercise with the Indian Air Force (IAF).
About United Kingdom (UK):
Prime Minister (PM) – Keir Starmer
Capital – London
Currency – Pound Sterling, GBP
