Konkan 2023, the annual bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy, was held from 20  to 22 Mar 23 off the Konkan coast in the Arabian Sea.

INS Trishul, a guided missile frigate, and HMS Lancaster, a  Type 23 guided missile frigate, participated in this edition and undertook multiple maritime drills to enhance interoperability and  imbibe best practices. The exercises covered  all domains of maritime operations, air, surface and sub-surface, and included gunnery shoots on surface inflatable target ‘Killer Tomato’, helicopter operations, anti-air and anti-submarine warfare drills, Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS), ship manoeuvres and exchange of personnel.

The exercise yielded excellent training value to personnel of both navies. A high level of professionalism and enthusiasm was also evident during its conduct. The focus personnel exhibited on op-readiness, enhancing interoperability and improving the ability to conduct joint operations will go a long way in bolstering the combined efforts of the IN and RN to strengthen maritime security and uphold a rules-based order in the region.

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MK/VM/JSN