Indian, British navies begin Konkan-13 joint exercise

[vivINDIAN]

SOURCE: IANS

An Indian Navy destroyer and a Royal Navy frigate Tuesday began the ninth edition of annual Konkan-13 exercise off India’s western coast, with the focus on asymmetric operations, anti-air warfare and boarding, search and seizure of ships.

The Konkan series of bilateral exercises commenced in 2004 and eight such exercises have been conducted till now, an Indian Navy statement said.

“These exercises provide an opportunity to both the navies to work together at sea and in harbour to build interoperability, and to share best practices among the crew,” it said.

The harbour phase of the exercise would involve professional discussions, interactions and social functions, while the sea phase will have exercises in various surface and air dimensions of naval operations.

Indian Navy will be represented by INS Delhi, an indigenously built destroyer hosting a Chetak helicopter and accompanied by shore-based aircraft. It is commanded by Capt. Sandeep Mehta.

The Royal Navy would be represented by HMS Westminster, a Type 23 Frigate, commanded by Capt. Hugh Beard.

The thrust of the exercise this year would be on asymmetric operations, anti-air warfare and Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) exercises.

“The cooperation between the two navies is a positive and tangible symbol of commitment in ensuring a positive climate for maritime security and economic development,” the statement said.

“Such exercise between the two navies manifest growing friendship between the two nations, with an aim to maintain peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region,” it further adds.

 

[HariPrasad]

Good news. British navy is a very potent navy. We can learn a lot from each others.

 

[RPK]

Konkan 2013 bilateral naval exercise concludes - Naval Technology

The Indian Navy and the UK Royal Navy have successfully completed bilateral naval exercise, dubbed Konkan 2013, off the west coast of India.
During the harbour phase, the allied navies conducted professional discussions, interactions and social functions, and in sea phase the navies carried out various surface and air dimensions of maritime missions.
Held from 14-19 October, the drill is the ninth of the Konkan series of exercise and involved two phases including the harbour phase at Goa and sea phase off the western coast.
The Konkan 2013 exercise emphasised asymmetric operations, anti-air warfare and visit board search and seizure (VBSS) exercises.
The drill involved Indian Navy's Mazagon Dock-manufactured Delhi-class warship INS Delhi (D61), commanded by Captain Sandeep Metha, alongside integral Chetak helicopter and shore based aircraft.
Equipped with anti-ship, anti-aircraft and anti-submarine sensor and weapon systems, the 6,700t Delhi-class guided-missile ships have an overall length of 163m and can accommodate a crew of 340.

The exercise also saw the Royal Navy's Type 23 Duke-class submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface warfare (ASuW) vessel HMS Westminster (F237).
Till date, the UK and Indian navies have completed eight konkan bilateral exercise series, which began in 2004.
A vital element towards integrated partnership and cooperation between the two navies, the drills provided an opportunity to work together at sea and in harbour while enabling both the navies to boost interoperability and share best practices among the crew.
The exercise has been designed to maintain peace and stability in the Indian Ocean region while ensuring a positive climate for maritime security and economic development.
Image: HMS West Minister and INS Delhi stationed at Goa Port. Photo: courtesy of Indian Navy.