The United Kingdom’s Royal Navy frigate HMS Richmond arrived at Mumbai Port today following the successful conclusion of Exercise Konkan 2025, held off India’s western coast from 5th-9th of this month. The joint naval drills between the Indian Navy and Royal Navy marked a historic milestone in bilateral defence cooperation.

For the first time, the British and Indian Carrier Strike Groups conducted a combined maritime exercise. The UK’s 65,000-tonne aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales joined forces with India’s INS Vikrant, showcasing advanced air-sea combat readiness with fighter jets, helicopters, submarines, and surface ships. Allied ships from countries including Norway and Japan also participated.

Over four days, both navies practiced complex maritime and air operations, demonstrating deepening strategic and operational ties. Exercise Konkan, conducted biennially since 2004, has been crucial in enhancing interoperability and coordinated maritime capabilities between the two nations.