⇒ The maiden India–UK Joint Tri-Service Exercise ‘KONKAN SHAKTI 2021’ was conducted in India from 21 to 27 October 2021.
The maritime component of the exercise was conducted in two phases off the west coast of India.
Harbour Phase:
The Harbour phase was held in Mumbai from 21 to 23 October 2021.
Sea Phase:
The sea phase of maiden Tri-Service exercise ‘Konkan Shakti 2021’ between the Armed Forces of India and United Kingdom (UK) was held off at the Konkan coast in the Arabian Sea.
On completion of harbour planning phase, the sea phase of the exercise commenced on October 24, 2021. It was culminated on October 27, 2021.
Participation:
Royal Navy was represented by its aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, with her integral F35 fighter aircraft and helicopters, the Type 45 Daring Class air-defence destroyer HMS Defender, the Type 23 frigate HMS Richmond, a Royal Fleet Auxiliary Fort Victoria, and a Royal Netherland Navy Frigate HNLMS Evertsen.
The Indian Navy (IN) was represented by three of its indigenously built stealth guided missile destroyers INS Kolkata, INS Kochi and INS Chennai, two stealth frigates, INS Talwar and INS Teg, and the tanker INS Aditya.
IN also participated with integral Sea King 42B, Kamov-31 and Chetak helicopters, MIG 29K fighter aircraft, Dornier and P8i (maritime patrol aircraft) and a submarine.
Exercise:
The exercise at sea featured advanced warfare tactics, Anti-Submarine Warfare exercises, over-the-horizon targeting drills, Air Defence Exercise, Cross Deck landings and other complex manoeuvers at sea.
The joint phase of the exercise also included air-tactical operations involving F35Bs, MiG 29Ks and Indian Air Force elements.
Aim:
The tri-service exercise KONKAN SHAKTI aims to derive mutual benefits from each other’s experiences and also showcase the continuing cooperation between the two countries.