Indian Navy frigate INS Trishul has arrived in Plymouth to take part in Exercise Konkan-26 with the Royal Navy. The joint drills will include air defence, anti-submarine warfare and other maritime operations to strengthen cooperation between the two navies…reports Asian Lite News Desk
The Indian Navy’s guided missile stealth frigate INS Trishul has arrived in Plymouth, the United Kingdom, to participate in the bilateral maritime exercise Konkan-26 with the Royal Navy, India’s Ministry of Defence said on Sunday.
The exercise highlights the continuing defence partnership between India and the UK, with both navies seeking to improve operational coordination, exchange expertise and strengthen maritime security.
In a statement, the Ministry of Defence described the annual exercise as a reflection of the two countries’ enduring maritime partnership. It said Konkan had expanded in scale and complexity over the past two decades, helping develop interoperability and mutual understanding between the two navies.
The ministry said the exercise had become an important part of bilateral naval cooperation, demonstrating both sides’ commitment to maritime security.
Konkan-26 is being conducted off Plymouth in two phases, beginning with activities in harbour before moving to operational drills at sea.
The harbour phase includes professional interactions between personnel, cross-deck visits, sporting events and cultural engagements. The Indian warship will also be open to visitors as part of the programme.
The sea phase will involve a series of maritime operational drills covering air, surface and sub-surface operations. Planned activities include cross-deck flying operations and landings, firing exercises, air defence drills, complex seamanship manoeuvres and anti-submarine warfare exercises.
The ministry said the exercises would provide opportunities for both navies to practise operating together in complex maritime conditions and share best practices.
It added that the engagement reaffirmed the two countries’ shared commitment to maintaining secure, open and free seas.
The ministry also linked the exercise to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the UK, outlined in the India-UK Vision 2035. It said the cooperation would help strengthen the ability of both navies to operate seamlessly during maritime operations.
INS Trishul arrived in the UK following a port call in Spain, where it took part in activities aimed at strengthening naval cooperation between India and Spain.
On 5 October, the Embassy of India in Madrid said the frigate’s visit to the Port of Valencia had highlighted the growing bilateral defence partnership. Indian Ambassador Jayant Khobragade visited the vessel and met its commanding officer, Captain Charit Kapil.
The embassy described the port call as a highlight of the India-Spain Dual Year of 2026.
Professional interactions and a joint passage exercise between the Indian Navy and Spain’s Armada Española had contributed to improving interoperability and maritime cooperation, the embassy said in a post on X.
The stop in Spain preceded INS Trishul’s arrival in Plymouth for the latest edition of the India-UK naval exercise.
Through Konkan-26, the two countries aim to build on existing defence ties, improve coordination between their naval forces and strengthen their ability to respond to complex maritime challenges.
