Indian Navy's guided missile stealth frigate INS Trishul arrived at Plymouth, United Kingdom on October 11, 2026, to participate in Exercise KONKAN-26 with the Royal Navy. This annual bilateral maritime exercise, conducted from October 8-15, 2026, represents the enduring maritime partnership between India and the UK and has grown significantly in scale and complexity over the past two decades.
The exercise is conducted in two phases: a Harbour Phase that includes professional interactions, cross-deck visits, sports fixtures, cultural engagements, and public visitation opportunities, and a Sea Phase that encompasses complex maritime operational drills across all three domains - air, surface, and sub-surface. The operational drills include flying operations with cross-deck landings, firing serials, air defence exercises, complex seamanship evolutions, and anti-submarine exercises.
Exercise KONKAN-26 serves as a reaffirmation of the shared commitment to ensuring secure, open, and free seas and exemplifies the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership outlined in the India-UK Vision 2035. By fostering the exchange of best practices and mutual understanding, the exercise reinforces the ability of both navies to operate seamlessly in complex maritime scenarios, standing as a testament to their enduring bonds and shared commitment to maritime peace and security.