Indian Air Force & UK’s Carrier Strike Group Conduct Joint Aerial Exercise over Indian Ocean Region.

In October 2025, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the United Kingdom (UK)’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG) conducted a joint aerial exercise over the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation and operational synergy.

      - The exercise followed the successful sea phase of the bilateral maritime drill ‘KONKAN 25’ between the Indian Navy (IN) and the Royal Navy.

      - The joint aerial exercise was aimed at enhancing interoperability, mutual trust, and operational coordination between the Indian Air Force and the UK’s Royal Navy.

      - The IAF deployed Sukhoi-30 MKI and Jaguar fighter aircraft along with advanced surveillance platforms such as the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) and Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft, showcasing India’s growing aerial capabilities.

Main Point :-   (i) From the UK’s Royal Navy, state-of-the-art F-35B fighter jets participated in the exercise, operating from the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, marking a major milestone in UK-India aerial interoperability.

      (ii) The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is extending the range of the Astra Mark-2 Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Air-to-Air Missile from 160 km to over 200 km.

(iii) The IAF plans to procure around 700 Astra Mk-2 missiles for integration with Sukhoi Su-30MKI and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, enhancing India’s indigenous air combat capability.