India-UK joint naval exercise begins at Goa

India-UK joint naval exercise "Konkan-2018" has started at Goa and would go on till December 6, the Indian Navy (IN) said on Thursday.

The Royal Navy of UK will be represented by HMS Dragon, a Type 45 Class Destroyer equipped with an integral Wildcat helicopter.

The Indian Navy will field INS Kolkata, the first ship of latest Kolkata class destroyers, equipped with integral Seaking and an IN submarine during the sea phase between December 2 to 6.

In addition, Indian Navy's maritime patrol aircraft Dornier will also participate in the exercise.

The harbour phase is already underway from November 28 to 30.

The thrust of the exercise this year would be on anti-submarine warfare, visit board search and seizure (VBSS), anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare and seamanship evolutions.

The Konkan series of exercises commenced in 2004, and since then has grown in scale. Both navies have, over the years, undertaken bilateral activities such as training exchanges and technical cooperation.

"The bilateral Konkan exercise provides a platform for the two navies to periodically exercise at sea and in harbour, so as to build interoperability and share best practices," a Navy release said.

--IANS

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