Published: 4 October 2025PIBGovernance
Exercise KONKAN-25: India-UK Deploy Aircraft Carriers INS Vikrant and HMS Prince of Wales
The bilateral India-UK naval Exercise KONKAN-25 commenced on October 5, 2025, off India's western coast, running until October 12 in two phases. The 2025 edition marks the historic first deployment of both nations' full Carrier Strike Groups (CSGs) — India's INS Vikrant and the UK's HMS Prince of Wales.
The exercise includes anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare drills alongside flying operations. The harbour phase featured professional interactions, cross-deck visits, and expert exchanges. Assets from Norway and Japan also participated. The exercise supports the India-UK Vision 2035 framework and over two decades of bilateral maritime cooperation.
0Mains angle
Q: Analyse the strategic significance of India-UK naval Exercise KONKAN-25 (5-12 October 2025), particularly the first-ever joint deployment of INS Vikrant and HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Groups.
Answer (50 words):
Held 5-12 October 2025 off India's western coast, KONKAN-25 marked the first joint deployment of full Carrier Strike Groups — INS Vikrant and HMS Prince of Wales. Anti-air, anti-surface and anti-submarine drills with flying operations and cross-deck visits, joined by Norway and Japan, supported the India-UK Vision 2035 framework.
6-axis classification
CoverageInternationalSubjectInternationalExamBasic Computer Instructor · CET Graduation · CET Senior Secondary · EO/RO · LDC · Mahila Supervisor · Patwar · PTI · RAS · REET · RPSC SI · School Lecturer · Senior Computer Instructor · Senior Teacher · UPSC · Vanpal · BothSourcePIB
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Linked questionMedium
Exercise Mitra Shakti 2025 was conducted between India and which country?
Explanation · Correct answer DThe 11th edition of Mitra Shakti was held from Nov 10-23 at Belagavi, Karnataka, between India (Rajput Regiment) and Sri Lanka (Gajaba Regiment).
Frequently asked questions
What is Exercise KONKAN-25 and what was its duration?
**Exercise KONKAN-25** is the India-UK bilateral naval exercise that commenced on **October 5, 2025** off India's western coast, running until **October 12, 2025** in the Arabian Sea.
What was historically significant about KONKAN-25?
KONKAN-25 marked the historic **first deployment of both nations' full Carrier Strike Groups** — India's **INS Vikrant** and the UK's **HMS Prince of Wales** — in joint naval operations.
What types of drills were conducted in KONKAN-25?
KONKAN-25 included **anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare drills** alongside **carrier flying operations**, testing interoperability between Indian and British naval forces.
Which other nations' assets participated in KONKAN-25?
**Norwegian** (HNoMS Roald Amundsen) and **Japanese** (JS Akebono) assets also participated in KONKAN-25, broadening the exercise into a multilateral maritime engagement.
What strategic framework does Exercise KONKAN support?
Exercise KONKAN supports the **India-UK Vision 2035 framework** and represents over **two decades of bilateral maritime cooperation** between India and the United Kingdom.
