Overview

• The British and Indian carrier groups formed up at sea on October 6–7 off India’s west coast in their first dual-carrier operations during the Konkan-25 exercise running October 5–12.
• Sea-phase training features anti-air, anti-surface, anti-submarine and flight operations, followed by a harbor phase with professional exchanges and cross-deck visits.
• The UK contingent is led by HMS Prince of Wales with HMS Dauntless, HMS Richmond, Japan’s JS Akebono, Norway’s HNoMS Roald Amundsen and RFA Tidespring.
• India’s force is led by INS Vikrant, operating with destroyers INS Kolkata, INS Mormugao and INS Surat, frigates INS Tabar and INS Teg, and fleet oiler INS Deepak.
• Officials describe the drills as deepening interoperability and supporting the India–UK Vision 2035 and a rules-based maritime order, with port calls in Mumbai and Goa preceding the October 14 aerial defense drill with the Indian Air Force.