News: Exercise KONKAN-25 began on 05 Oct 2025 off India’s western coast and will run in two phases from 05–12 Oct 2025.
About Exercise KONKAN-25
- It is an annual bilateral naval between India and the United Kingdom.
- Origin: First exercise was held in year 2004.
- 2025 Venue: The exercise is being conducted off the western coast of India.
- Aim: The exercise aims to ensure secure, open, and free seas, enhance interoperability, and advance the ‘India-UK Vision 2035’.
- The exercise is conducted alternately in Indian and UK waters, making it a rotational venue exercise.
- Over the past two decades, it has grown to improve interoperability and mutual understanding.
- The 2025 exercise will be conducted in two phases
- Harbour phase: This phase will feature professional interactions between naval personnel, cross-deck visits, sports fixtures, and cultural exchanges.
- Sea phase: This will involve complex maritime operational drills focusing on anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare, flying operations, and other seamanship evolutions.
- Significance
- The exercise consolidates strategic ties and contributes to regional maritime stability.
- The Indian side is led by the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant along with other surface, sub-surface, and air combatants.
- The UK Carrier Strike Group 25 is led by HMS Prince of Wales.
