The United Kingdom’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG), led by aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, departed India on Tuesday after completing a “highly successful” bilateral maritime exercise Konkan 2025 with the Indian Navy, followed by port visits to Mumbai and Goa.

“It was a privilege to train, collaborate, and strengthen maritime ties with our Indian partners — until next time,” the Strike Group posted on its official X handle before departing Indian waters.

Exercise Konkan-25, which began on October 5, has been a cornerstone of India–UK naval cooperation for over two decades. The 2025 edition marked a historic first, featuring joint drills between the British and Indian Carrier Strike Groups — HMS Prince of Wales and INS Vikrant.

The exercise, conducted in two phases from October 5–12, featured extensive harbour and sea operations. The harbour phase included professional interactions, cross-deck visits, cultural exchanges, and Joint Working Group meetings, while the sea phase focused on anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare, as well as flying operations.

Both navies deployed frontline assets, including aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates, submarines, and air assets. Notably, the UK CSG also included contributions from Norway and Japan, underscoring the multinational nature of the engagement.

The Indian Navy described the exercise as a reaffirmation of the India–UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership under the India-UK Vision 2035, aimed at ensuring secure, open, and free seas in the Indo-Pacific.

Following the conclusion of Exercise Konkan 2025 on October 12, the UK CSG also participated in a one-day joint drill with the Indian Air Force before resuming its wider regional deployment.