NEW DELHI: The ongoing bilateral maritime exercise Konkan-25 between the Indian Navy and the UK's Royal Navy witnessed a first on Tuesday when the aircraft carriers of the two countries linked up. The exercise commenced on October 5 off the western coast of India.
"A historic first! With the UK and the Indian carrier strike groups linking up," tweeted Commodore Chris Saunders, the UK Defence Attache in India. The exercise is aimed at increasing combined maritime and air capabilities between the UK and Indian navies on the high seas, said Commodore Saunders.
The exercise is being conducted in two phases from October 5-12. The harbour phase of the exercise will include professional interactions between naval personnel, cross deck visits, sports fixtures, and cultural engagements. Additionally, joint working group meetings and subject matter expert exchanges are also scheduled.
The sea phase will encompass complex maritime operational drills focusing on anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine exercises, flying operations and other seamanship evolutions. Both nations will deploy frontline assets, including aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates, submarines, and integral and shore based air assets. Participation of the UK Carrier Strike Group (UK CSG 25), led by His Majesty Ship (HMS) Prince of Wales, including assets from Norway and Japan, has added sheen to this year's edition of the exercise.
The Indian side is participating with the carrier battle group of the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant in company with other surface, sub-surface and air combatants.
Over the past two decades, this exercise has grown significantly in scale and complexity, fostering enhanced interoperability and mutual understanding in maritime operations between the two navies.
This exercise is a reaffirmation of the shared commitment to ensuring secure, open and free seas and exemplifies the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership outlined in 'India-UK Vision 2035'.
Exercise Konkan 2025, as per the Indian Navy, will serve as a platform to consolidate strategic ties, enhance interoperability and contribute to regional maritime stability.
On conclusion of the exercise with the Indian Navy on October 12, the UK CSG 25 is scheduled to participate in a one-day exercise with the Indian Air Force off the western coast of India on October 14 prior to continuing with her planned deployment.
An aircraft carrier is a floating airfield and adds to the surge capability as fighter jets operating from land will always have their limitations.
The Indian Navy has always given significance to the aircraft carrier, which in the Indian Maritime Doctrine-2009 was specified as "the central platform for protecting and projecting naval power at and from the sea."
Currently, the Indian Navy has two aircraft carriers, INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, in its inventory.
Interestingly, the Indian Navy's first aircraft carrier was HMS Hercules, acquired from the United Kingdom in 1961 and renamed INS Vikrant. It was decommissioned in 1997.
