Indian Navy and UK carrier conduct joint exercise in Arabian Sea

The Indian Navy conducted a ‘maritime passage exercise’ with the United Kingdom’s Carrier Strike Group, led by HMS Prince of Wales, in the northern Arabian Sea.

The Indian Navy's stealth frigate INS Tabar, along with a submarine and a Boeing P-8I maritime patrol aircraft, participated in the passage exercise on June 9 and 10.

From the UK side, HMS Prince of Wales was accompanied by the frigate HMS Richmond.

The naval exercise included unified control of helicopters from both navies, complex sea manoeuvres, coordinated anti-submarine operations, and professional exchanges between officers.

The joint exercise highlights the deepening cooperation between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy, underscoring a shared commitment to maritime security and strong bilateral ties.

HMS Prince of Wales departed the UK in April 2025 and is currently en route to a multilateral deployment in the Indo-Pacific region.

According to a statement issued by the UK in April, the carrier strike group includes F-35B stealth fighter jets, uncrewed aerial vehicles, helicopters, anti-submarine frigates, and an Astute-class nuclear-powered attack submarine.