Naval exercise underway at Goa

A nine-day naval exercise between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of the UK is currently underway in Goa, an official statement said on Thursday.

"KONKAN-2018 will be conducted from November 28 to December 6, with units participating from both Navies. The harbour phase is scheduled from November 28 to 30, followed by the sea phase from December 2 to 6," the Indian Navy statement said.

"The Royal Navy 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 Indian Navy submarine."

The Indian Navy's maritime patrol aircraft Dornier would also be pressed into action during the bilateral exercise.

The KONKAN series of exercises first took place in 2004.

"The bilateral KONKAN exercise provides a platform for the two Navies to periodically exercise at sea and in harbour, so as to build inter-operability and share best practices," the statement said.

The focus of this year's exercise is on anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, visit-board-search and seizure and seamanship evolutions.

Besides exercises at sea, KONKAN-2018 also encompasses professional interactions and sports fixtures.

--IANS

maya/ksk/bg