New Delhi: Indian Navy’s guided-missile stealth frigate INS Trishul has arrived in Plymouth, United Kingdom, for Exercise Konkan – 2026, where it will join the Royal Navy for a week of maritime training covering air defence, antisubmarine warfare and firing exercises. Scheduled from October 8 to 15, the exercise will bring the two navies together to practise operations across air, surface and sub-surface domains.
The exercise will combine professional engagements at Plymouth with operational drills at sea. Activities are designed to strengthen coordination between the two navies and improve their ability to operate together in complex maritime situations.
The exercise will be held in two phases, beginning with the harbour phase, which will include professional interactions, cross-deck visits, sports fixtures and cultural engagements. INS Trishul will also be open to visitors during its stay in Plymouth.
The sea phase will feature air defence exercises, firing serials, antisubmarine drills and complex seamanship manoeuvres. Flying operations, including cross-deck landings, will also be conducted as part of the programme.
These training exercises cover various aspects of naval warfare. Air defence training deals with the response to threats from the air, while the antisubmarine training deals with the threats underwater. Cross-deck landing training is a collaboration effort between the personnel of the aircraft and those on the ship while seamanship training includes handling of ships under difficult conditions.
Why is the Konkan exercise significant?
Konkan is the annual bilateral maritime exercise between India and the United Kingdom. Over more than two decades, it has grown in scale and complexity, providing the two navies with a regular platform to exchange professional practices and develop a better understanding of each other’s operational methods.
This familiarity is important when two navies conduct operations together, as coordinated activities require personnel to understand each other’s procedures and work effectively across different maritime domains. Konkan 2026 will provide an opportunity to practise that coordination through a combination of harbour engagements and sea-based drills.
In addition to that, the exercise is a part of the maritime cooperation between India and the UK based on the comprehensive strategic partnership and the India-UK vision 2035. The countries have been emphasizing their dedication to the security, openness, and freedom of seas with the help of Konkan as the place for collaboration.
The latest edition will end on October 15 after conducting a program with the objective of enhancing operational knowledge and coordination between both navies.