GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 17th Oct: The UK’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG25) successfully conducted joint military exercises with the Indian Armed Forces during a visit to Mumbai and Goa, reinforcing the strategic partnership between the two nations in the Indo-Pacific region.
The exercises, under Operation Highmast, involved the UK aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales and its accompanying vessels operating alongside India’s INS Vikrant-led Carrier Strike Group. The joint drills, known as Exercise Konkan, took place in the western Indian Ocean and included combined air exercises with the Indian Air Force, enhancing interoperability and mutual understanding between the two militaries.
The visit coincides with two significant defence deals aimed at boosting British business and employment. A £350 million contract for Lightweight Multirole Missiles for the Indian Army was signed, showcasing defence as a driver of economic growth. Additionally, India and the UK signed an agreement worth an initial £250 million on electric-powered engines for naval ships, marking another milestone in bilateral defence-industrial cooperation.
UK Defence Minister Lord Vernon Coaker said, “Alongside our leadership on global security, we have showcased leading-edge defence innovation which strengthens our trading relationship with India and secures British jobs. This strategic partnership helps keep us secure at home and strong abroad.”
British High Commissioner to India Lindy Cameron noted, “India, as the world’s largest democracy and an emerging economic superpower, is a top priority partner for the UK. The Carrier Strike Group’s visit is a testament to the strength of our bilateral relationship, revitalised by our two Prime Ministers in recent months.”
CSG25 will now depart the Indo-Pacific region, heading to the Mediterranean Sea for the final phase of its deployment before returning to UK waters by year-end. Throughout the deployment, the strike group aims to advance military interoperability, strengthen defence partnerships, and maintain the UK’s enduring presence in the Indo-Pacific.
