Exercise Konkan 2023, An Annual Bilateral Maritime Exercise between India and UK

Konkan Maritime Exercise: It is an annual bilateral maritime exercise conducted between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom (UK). Exercise Konkan 2023 is also important for UPSC Prelims Exam 2023 and UPSC Mains Exam (GS Paper 2- International Relations; GS Paper 3- Internal Security).

Exercise Konkan 2023 in News

Recently, the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of the UK jointly conducted Konkan 2023 from March 20 to March 22, 2023.

Exercise Konkan 2023

Konkan Maritime Exercise 2023 is an annual bilateral maritime exercise conducted in the Arabian Sea off the Konkan coast. It is conducted between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom.

• Participation: The Konkan 2023 exercise saw the participation of INS Trishul, a guided missile frigate, and HMS Lancaster, a Type 23 guided missile frigate, which engaged in various maritime drills to improve interoperability and learn from each other’s best practices.
• Countries Involved: Konkan 2023 exercise was conducted between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom.
• Scope: The exercises encompassed all aspects of maritime operations, including air, surface, and sub-surface domains, and comprised activities such as-
  • Gunnery shoots on a surface inflatable target known as the “Killer Tomato,”
  • Helicopter operations,
  • Anti-air and anti-submarine warfare exercises,
  • Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS),
  • Ship manoeuvres, and
  • Personnel exchange.

Konkan 2023 Maritime Exercise Significance

The recently concluded Konkan 2023 maritime exercise proved to be of immense value to the participating naval personnel from both India and the United Kingdom.

• The exercise was conducted with a high degree of professionalism and enthusiasm, reflecting a strong commitment to operational readiness, improving interoperability, and enhancing the ability to conduct joint operations.
• Such efforts will undoubtedly contribute to strengthening maritime security and upholding the rules-based order in the region by the Indian Navy (IN) and the Royal Navy (RN) working in concert.

About Konkan Exercise

Konkan is a joint maritime exercise that is conducted annually between the navies of India and the United Kingdom.

• Background: The first Konkan exercise was held in 2004 and since then, it has become a regular feature of the naval engagements between India and the UK.
• Venue: The exercise takes place in the Arabian Sea and aims to enhance interoperability and operational cooperation between the two navies.
• Activities: The Konkan exercise involves a range of activities, including anti-piracy operations, anti-submarine warfare, and maritime interdiction operations.
  • The exercise also includes various training activities such as boarding operations, gunnery firings, and maneuvering drills.
• Significance: In addition to enhancing military cooperation, Konkan also aims to strengthen the strategic partnership between India and the UK.

Conclusion

Overall, Konkan is an important initiative that helps to deepen the ties between the two countries and promotes stability and security in the region.

Konkan 2023 Edition FAQs

Q. What is the objective of the Konkan exercise?

Ans. The primary objective of the Konkan exercise is to enhance operational cooperation and interoperability between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of the UK.

Q. Who participates in the Konkan exercise?

Ans. The Konkan exercise involves participation from the navies of India and the United Kingdom.

Q. What activities are conducted during the Konkan exercise?

Ans. The Konkan exercise typically involves a range of activities, including anti-piracy operations, anti-submarine warfare, maritime interdiction operations, and training activities such as boarding operations, gunnery firings, and maneuvering drills.

Q. How often is the Konkan exercise conducted?

Ans. The Konkan exercise is conducted annually between the navies of India and the UK.

Q. Who participated in the Konkan 2023 Edition?

Ans. The Konkan 2023 exercise saw the participation of INS Trishul, a guided missile frigate, and HMS Lancaster, a Type 23 guided missile frigate, which engaged in various maritime drills to improve interoperability and learn from each other’s best practices.

TROPEX 2023 Exercise of Indian Navy Concluded