Exercise Konkan 2025

In a landmark moment for India-UK defence cooperation, Exercise Konkan 2025 was successfully conducted from October 5 to 9, 2025, off India’s western coast in the Arabian Sea.

This biennial naval exercise between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy marked a historic milestone with the first-ever Combined Carrier Strike Group (CSG) operations, showcasing enhanced maritime security and joint operations capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.

Background of Exercise Konkan 2025

Exercise Konkan 2025 builds on the legacy of Exercise Konkan, first launched in 2004 as a bilateral naval exercise to enhance interoperability between India and the UK. Over the years, it has evolved into a complex naval exercise covering a wide range of maritime operations.

The 2025 edition is particularly significant due to:

• Deployment of both nations’ aircraft carriers in a Combined Carrier Strike Group format

• Inclusion of ships from Norway and Japan, reflecting a multinational maritime partnership

• Strengthened India-UK defence ties and operational coordination in the Indo-Pacific naval strategy

For SSC aspirants, understanding the evolution of Exercise Konkan 2025 is important, as it highlights India’s growing naval capabilities and strategic partnerships.

Key Naval Assets in Exercise Konkan 2025

The 2025 exercise involved several important assets demonstrating high-end naval drills and operational readiness:

• INS Vikrant—India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier, central to INS Vikrant operations

• HMS Prince of Wales—the UK’s 65,000-tonne Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier, key to HMS Prince of Wales' India operations

• HMS Richmond—Royal Navy frigate, docked in Mumbai post-exercise

Support vessels, fighter jets, multi-role helicopters, and submarines from both fleets

These assets facilitated joint tactical manoeuvres, including carrier-based air combat operations, anti-submarine warfare, fleet defence, and maritime interdiction, demonstrating the capability to project power in blue-water scenarios during Exercise Konkan 2025.

Highlights of Exercise Konkan 2025

The main objectives and highlights of Exercise Konkan 2025 include:

1. First-ever Combined Carrier Strike Group (CSG) operations between India and the UK

2. Enhanced India-UK maritime cooperation through joint operations

3. Strengthening Indo-Pacific security cooperation between India and the UK

4. Demonstrating naval interoperability and readiness in the Arabian Sea naval exercise

5. Participation of multiple nations to expand maritime security and strategic synergy

For SSC aspirants, these points are essential, as they reflect India’s strategic role in the Indo-Pacific region and its growing partnership with global naval powers.

Significance for India

Exercise Konkan 2025 is strategically important for India due to several reasons:

• Reinforces India-UK defence cooperation and bilateral trust

• Enhances joint air-sea operations and combat readiness

• Provides real-time experience in Combined Carrier Strike Group operations

• Strengthens India’s position in the Indo-Pacific naval strategy

By understanding the significance of Exercise Konkan 2025 for India, SSC aspirants can link current affairs topics to India’s defence and geopolitical strategies, which are frequently asked about in exams.

Exam-Relevant Static Facts

SSC Exam Tips

• Remember INS Vikrant and HMS Prince of Wales as key carriers involved.

• Understand Indo-Pacific security cooperation and maritime strategy for MCQs

• Note the biennial frequency and first launch year, 2004, for static GK questions.

• Recognize multi-national participation as a sign of India’s growing maritime diplomacy.

Final Thoughts

Exercise Konkan 2025 marked a historic milestone in India-UK defence cooperation, conducted from October 5 to 9, 2025, off India’s western coast in the Arabian Sea. This edition was the first-ever to feature a Combined Carrier Strike Group (CSG), showcasing advanced joint operations, maritime security, and air-sea combat readiness.

Key assets included India’s INS Vikrant and the UK’s HMS Prince of Wales, supported by fighter jets, helicopters, submarines, and frigates. The exercise involved carrier-based operations, anti-submarine warfare, and fleet defence, highlighting operational interoperability.

With participation from multiple nations like Norway and Japan, Exercise Konkan 2025 not only strengthened India-UK defence ties but also demonstrated India’s growing role in Indo-Pacific maritime strategy and global naval collaboration.