New Delhi– In a striking display of maritime strength and cooperation, the Indian Navy and the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy conducted a high-intensity Passage Exercise (PASSEX) in the North Arabian Sea on June 9 and 10. The two-day naval drill emphasized the growing strategic partnership between New Delhi and London in safeguarding maritime security and upholding international norms at sea.
The Indian Navy deployed its stealth frigate INS Tabar, a conventional submarine, and a P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft for the exercise. From the British side, the UK Carrier Strike Group participated, featuring the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales and the frigate HMS Richmond.
The joint operation involved a wide array of advanced naval maneuvers and drills, including coordinated anti-submarine warfare operations, tactical exercises, integrated helicopter operations, and professional exchanges between naval officers. These exercises underscored the high level of interoperability and trust between the two naval forces.
The PASSEX served not only as a demonstration of maritime capability but also as a symbol of the deepening defense cooperation between the two democracies. The drills reinforce shared commitments to freedom of navigation, maritime domain awareness, and the enforcement of a rules-based international order in increasingly contested waters.
“This exercise reflects the growing convergence between India and the UK on key strategic issues and their shared interest in maintaining a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific region,” a senior Indian defense official said.
The joint exercise comes against the backdrop of rising regional tensions, particularly following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in April, which claimed over two dozen lives. The attack was followed by a four-day conflict between India and Pakistan in May 2025.
In response to the escalating situation, the Indian Navy mobilized its carrier battle group, along with surface forces, submarines, and aviation assets, to the North Arabian Sea in full combat readiness.
“In the aftermath of the cowardly attacks on innocent tourists in Pahalgam by Pakistani-sponsored terrorists, the Indian Navy immediately deployed its forces with full operational readiness,” Vice Admiral A.N. Pramod stated last month.
As geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific continue to evolve, particularly with the increasing assertiveness of the Chinese Navy, collaborative efforts like PASSEX 2025 are seen as essential to maintaining regional balance and enhancing maritime resilience.
The exercise marks another step forward in the India-UK defense relationship, underscoring their shared vision of stability, security, and cooperation in a strategically vital region. (Source: IANS)
