Overview

• Royal Navy frigate HMS Richmond arrived in Mumbai on October 10 following the sea phase’s conclusion on October 8.
• The sea phase ran from October 5–8 and featured high‑tempo operations including BVR air combat, integrated air defence, gunnery, replenishment and coordinated anti‑submarine warfare.
• INS Vikrant and HMS Prince of Wales led their respective carrier strike groups, marking the first Konkan exercise to pair British and Indian carriers.
• UK assets included HMS Dauntless and HMS Richmond with F‑35B, Merlin and Wildcat aircraft, while India deployed MiG‑29K fighters and ASW helicopters from INS Vikrant.
• UK Carrier Strike Group commander Commodore James Blackmore said the drills strengthened interoperability and demonstrated the ability to integrate two blue‑water carrier navies under Operation Highmast.