Context
Recently, India and the UK started Konkan Shakti 2021, the first-ever tri-services joint exercise. It started off the west coast of India.
Key-Points
- To derive mutual benefits from each other’s experiences and also showcase the continuing cooperation between the two countries.
- It is also aimed at training troops in the conduct of Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief Operations by coalition forces in an opposed environment.
Participation from the UK side
- The UK Royal Navy is represented by its carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth and its flagship F35 fighter jets and helicopters.
- The Royal Navy's participating ships will also have a Type 45 Daring Class HMS Defender, Type 23 frigate HMS Richmond, Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Fort Victoria, and Royal Netherland Navy Frigate HNLMS Evertsen.
Participation from the Indian side
- For Indian Navy troops, three targeted archery destroyers INS Kolkata, INS Kochi and INS Chennai, stealth frigates, INS Talwar and INS Teg, and an INS Aditya tank will take part, along with Sea King 42B, Kamov-31 and Chetak, helicopters, the MIG 29K fighter jet, the Dornier and P8i (marine aircraft), and the submarine.
- The Indian Air Force will be equipped with Jaguars, Su-30 Mki, AWACS, AEW & C and petrol aircraft.
Other Joint Exercises between India and UK
- Navy: Konkan
- Air Force: Indradhanush
- Military: Ajeya Warrior
