"Fantastic" opportunity for HMS Prince of Wales as she joins India aircraft carrier INS Vikrant for exercise
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British and Indian navies have joined forces for an important maritime exercise.
HMS Prince of Wales, currently at the helm of the UK Carrier Strike Group (UKCSG) on Operation Highmast, commenced Exercise Konkan on Sunday (October 5). Its aim is to increase the combined maritime and air capabilities of both forces working together in the Western Indian Ocean.
This comes hot off the heels of Exercise Bersama Lima. Commodore James Blackmore, UKCSG Commander, said: “It’s fantastic to work again with the Indian Navy during Exercise Konkan to develop our combined operational capabilities. We’ve been collaborating to expand our defence capability, in support of the rules-based international system in the Indo-Pacific.”
HMS Prince of Wales personnel visited Delhi’s aircraft carrier INS Vikrant to conduct a planning exercise on board, with Cdre Blackmore meeting Read Admiral Vivek Dahiya. Ships and aircraft conducted cross deck landings, as well as aircraft tracking drills. It marked the first time in history that a British and Indian Carrier Strike Group conducted a maritime exercise together.
Extensive operations will be completed over four days. Port visits have been planned in Mumbai and Goa to showcase British trade, industry, and the strong bond between both nations. Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India, said: “The UK and India believe in an Indo-Pacific that is free and open.
“We share an ambition for a modern defence and security partnership, a fundamental pillar of UK-India Vision 2035, agreed by our Prime Ministers this year. The engagements between the Carrier Strike Groups of our two navies demonstrate our commitment to maintaining the rules-based international order in the region and lay the groundwork for future cooperation.”
Once Exercise Konkan concludes, the UKCSG will participate in an aerial defence exercise with the Indian Air Force. Personnel will share tactics and best practices. Commodore Chris Saunders MBE Royal Navy, Defence Adviser, British High Commission, said: “Exercise Konkan provides an excellent opportunity for the Royal Navy to train in the delivery of complex multi-domain operations alongside India as partners in the Indo-Pacific region.
“The UK and India are two carrier operating countries, and the Royal Navy and Indian Navy are in a fairly exclusive club as blue-water, multi-carrier navies. This exercise provides another opportunity, a first with both carriers, for two maritime powers to enhance combined capability operating and share best practice. The UK is also proud to co-lead the Maritime Security Pillar of India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.”