HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier (Photo: X)
New Delhi: In a historic first, Indian Navy and UK Royal Navy’s aircraft carriers commenced their biennial naval exercise Konkan in the Western Indian Ocean on Sunday.
The Carrier Strike Group (CSG), led by HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier from the UK Royal Navy and INS Vikrant from the Indian Navy will conduct a maritime exercise together.
Currently on an eight-month deployment known as Operation Highmast, the UK CSG is linked up with the Indian Navy’s Carrier Strike Group, led by INS Vikrant to begin 4 days of complex maritime exercises. The exercise will also involve submarines and various aircraft from both the forces.
Exercise Konkan is aimed at increasing combined maritime and air capabilities between the UK and Indian navies on the high seas.
Following the completion of the exercise, CSG ships will visit ports in Mumbai and Goa to celebrate enhanced military interactions with India and showcase the best of British trade and industry and highlight the strong ‘living bridge’ of people and culture between the UK and India.
Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India, said: “The UK and India believe in an Indo-Pacific that is free and open. We share an ambition for a modern defence and security partnership, a fundamental pillar of UK-India Vision 2035, agreed by our Prime Ministers 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."
Commodore Chris Saunders MBE Royal Navy, Defence Adviser, British High Commission, said: “Exercise Konkan provides an excellent opportunity for the Royal Navy to train in the delivery of complex multi-domain operations alongside India as partners in the Indo-Pacific region.
“The UK and India are two carrier operating countries, and the Royal Navy and Indian Navy are in a fairly exclusive club as blue-water, multi-carrier navies. This exercise provides another opportunity, a first with both carriers, for two maritime powers to enhance combined capability operating and share best practice. The UK is also proud to co-lead the Maritime Security Pillar of India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.”
Commodore James Blackmore, Commander, UK Carrier Strike Group, said: "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 capability, in support of the rules-based international system in the Indo-Pacific."
On completion of the port visit, the UK CSG will participate in an aerial defence exercise with the Indian Air Force, allowing both the forces to test their tactics and share best practices.
About Operation Higmast:--
Operation Highmast is a multinational deployment led by the UK Carrier Strike Group providing an opportunity for the UK’s Armed Forces to conduct a major global deployment and a chance to exercise complex operations alongside partners and allies in the region, with 12 other nations supporting the deployment with ships or personnel.
The UK CSG is formed around HMS Prince of Wales, the 65,000 tonnes Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carrier - the largest surface vessel ever constructed in the UK.
She is supported by a Type 45 Destroyer HMS Dauntless, a Type 23 Frigate – HMS Richmond, and Royal Fleet Auxiliary Support Ships and ships of allies and partners.
The CSG operates F-35B Lightning aircraft, and Merlin and Wildcat helicopters, as standard.
In 2021, the UK and India conducted the first and biggest bilateral tri-service exercise Konkan Shakti, involving all three forces from both the countries, including the UK’s Carrier Strike Group led by HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier.
