Indo-UK Joint Naval Exercise - Konkan 2008

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The third edition of Indo-UK joint Naval Exercise ‘Konkan-2008′ is currently going on in the Arabian Sea. The exercise has commenced on April 21 and is expected to conclude on May 02, 2008. For Royal Navy this is part of UK’s Orion 08 Deployment..


The maritime interdiction exercise, third in a series that started in 2004, will feature frontline warships of the Royal Navy, including the Illustrious Aircraft Carrier and the HMS Trafalgar nuclear submarine.


The 10-day-long exercise, aimed at building confidence and interoperability between the navies, will focus on aerial operations and joint tactical manoeuvers for maritime interdiction. While only Indian and UK warships will participate in the exercise, the American Navy’s USS Cole will observe the manoeuvers.


The exercise also features the ‘Merlin’ anti-submarine warfare helicopters of the Royal Navy, besides the HMS Westminster guided missile destroyer and two support vessels. From the Indian side, frontline warships, including the Mysore and Rajput, will take part in the exercise, besides a Kilo-class diesel submarine.


INS Viraat, is not visible at the exercise as it is out of commission for the next year. The Navy has decided to keep it in service till 2012 when the Gorshkov is scheduled to arrive. In the absence of the carrier, the Navy will operate its Sea Harriers for the joint exercise.

This year’s low-key exercise comes in contrast with the high profile nature of the last edition of the Konkan series in 2006, also off the Goa coast. Besides visits by the Chief of the Royal Navy, a number of senior defence officials and mediapersons were taken aboard HMS Invincible aircraft carrier during the exercise.