IN, Royal Navy joint ''Konkan-06'' exercise concludes

Mumbai, May 29 (UNI) The 11-day ''Konkan-06'' naval exercise between the Indian Navy and Royal Navy came to an end at Mumbai harbour on the western coast earlier today.

The Indo-British bilateral naval exercise had commenced on May 17, about 300 nautical miles off Goa.

Rear Admiral Anup Singh informed that the ''Konkan-06'' was the largest and longest exercise with the Royal Navy in comparison to the 2004 naval exercises.

Indian and British navies spent seven days on the high seas and another four days at Goa harbour during the ''Konkan-06'' exercises.

The Indian Navy was represented by destroyer INS Mumbai, frigates INS Ganga and INS Brahmaputra, all three with Seaking and Match helicopters. The stealth SSK submarine INS Shishumar and shore-based maritime patrol aircraft carrier Dornier, from INS Hansa, Goa, were also part of the Indian force.

While, the British forces comprised aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious with Seaking 42D and Merlin helicopters, frigate Gloucester with Lynx helicopter and nuclear-powered submarine HMS Sovereign along with French frigate Surcouf as part of the ''Multi-National'' element.

Although, ''Konkan-06'' was the second in a series of Konkan exercises, it was for the first time that a sizeable number of Indian Navy and Royal Navy units operated together for two weeks, Admiral Singh stated.

He said the exercises were held in three phases. The first phase was to understand basic functions of maritime warfare, later graduating to sports fixtures and pre-sail conference at Goa in the second phase. The third phase included intermediate and advanced exercises including war at sea.

The Rear Admiral informed that after 1968, the two navies had undertaken such a long exerise for the first time with successful force integration, inter-operational understanding and readiness.

Asked about the outcome of these exercises, Admiral Singh replied that it has resulted into better inter-operational understanding between the two navies for any future joint operations.

Speaking on the occasion, Rear Admiral Neil Morisetti, Commander, United Kingdom Maritime Force (COMUKMARFOR) said the two navies shared a lot of similarities.

The ''Konkan-06'' excrcises have cemented an understanding of the two navies into a single entity to face future challenges in high seas, he said, adding the Royal Navy looked ahead for regular annual bilateral excercise with the Indian Navy.

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