“Carrier strike group exercise demonstrates UK-India ties as Global Partners”: UK Minister of State for Defence
The Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom commenced their first-ever joint Carrier Strike Group (CSG) operations as part of Exercise KONKAN-25, which began off the western coast of India on October 5 and continues in the Western Indian Ocean, reports 24brussels.
During the visit of the UK Carrier Strike Group, UK Minister of State for Defence Lord Vernon Coaker visited Mumbai and emphasized that the collaboration between the two nations represents a robust partnership. “It is even more remarkable to be here just after the wonderful visit of our Prime Minister to meet with your Prime Minister. The relationship between Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Starmer is excellent and demonstrates the importance of the partnership between the UK and India as respected global partners,” Lord Coaker stated.
State Defence Minister Sanjay Seth also engaged in a bilateral meeting with Lord Coaker to review ongoing defence engagements and explore deeper cooperation avenues. Seth noted that the UK CSG, led by the Prince of Wales, had effectively completed the sea phase of the bilateral maritime exercise KONKAN-25 off the western coast, while the CSG is currently involved in harbour-phase activities in Mumbai and Goa.
The ongoing exercise marks a pivotal moment in India-UK defence relations. For the first time, the Indian Navy’s INS Vikrant Carrier Battle Group and the Royal Navy’s HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group are conducting operations together at sea. The joint drills are designed to enhance interoperability and demonstrate the increasing depth of the maritime partnership between both nations.
The UK Carrier Strike Group is undertaking an eight-month deployment under Operation Highmast. It is now participating with the Indian Navy fleet for four days of advanced maritime exercises, including coordinated operations that involve surface ships, submarines, and naval aircraft from both countries.
Commander of the UK Carrier Strike Group, Commodore James Blackmore, expressed pride in leading this deployment. “It’s my immense privilege to command the UK Carrier Strike Group during our time in the Indo-Pacific, and most importantly, here in Mumbai. We departed the UK on April 22, 171 days ago, with about 50 days remaining until the completion of Operation Highmast,” he remarked.
The UK Carrier Strike Group is centered around HMS Prince of Wales, a 65,000-tonne Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier— the largest surface vessel ever constructed in the United Kingdom. The group includes HMS Richmond (Type 23 Frigate), HMS Dauntless (Type 45 Destroyer), Royal Fleet Auxiliary support ships, and assets from partner nations, including Norway and Japan.
On the Indian side, the exercise is led by INS Vikrant, India’s indigenous aircraft carrier, and is supported by destroyers, frigates, submarines, and naval aircraft. Exercise KONKAN has been conducted biennially since 2004, expanding in scale and complexity over the last two decades. The current iteration emphasizes enhanced combined maritime and air operations, tactical coordination, and improved mutual understanding between the Indian and Royal Navies.
