Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Indian Navy set for 'a new era in carrier aviation' with Royal Navy

by LAUREN CODLING

THE chief of the Indian Navy (IN) has spoken of the “valuable” partnership between themselves and the Royal Navy (RN), as a carrier aviation plan was announced between the two forces.


Admiral Sunil Lanba toured the HMNB Portsmouth naval base last Thursday (14) as part of a week-long trip to the UK.

At a press conference onboard HMS Elizabeth, Admiral Lanba spoke of the shared views of the Indian and UK militaries.

“[These shared visions] make the IN and the RN natural partners,” Lanba said, noting the 2017 formation of the Carrier Capability Partnership (CCP), which aims to share best practice with the UK’s carrier programme.

“The CCP is valuable to our navies,” he said. “Our navy aspires to be a three-carrier navy and we look forward to developing capabilities in tandem and improving our interoperability.”

Lanba, who assumed office in 2016, was given an insight into how the Royal Navy worked with industrial partners in advancing the aircraft carrier.

The First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Philip Jones, said it was a chance to “look forward to a new era of carrier aviation”.

“I am sure we will be able to develop further synergies in our respective future carrier strike capabilities,” he said.

Describing the building and operation of aircraft carriers as “not [something] for the faint-hearted,” Jones acknowledged the demanding nature of the development.

Many nations found they were not able to deliver maritime capability, he said, which was why the CCP between two nations that could and does deliver it was so valuable for both navies.

Referring to the success of the Konkan series, an annual UK-Indian naval exercise which usually takes place off the coast of Goa in India, Jones expressed confidence at the continued partnership.

“We will be increasingly well placed to work together across the full spectrum of naval activity – from disaster relief to high-end warfighting,” he said.

Jones revealed they had also discussed opportunities where the two nations believed they could learn from each other, including how to roll out safety culture and structures across the navies.

“[It is] to make sure we are operating at the edge of operational capability but as safely as we possibly can,” he said.

Thanking the RN for its hospitality, Lanba added that the increased focus that the British force had on the Indian Ocean region was a welcome step.

“We hope to partner with the RN in leveraging our collective strengths to ensure security of the region,” he added.

More For You

Covid inquiry begins probe into care home deaths

FILE PHOTO: A mother and daughter sit atop the Covid memorial wall on September 9, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)

Covid inquiry begins probe into care home deaths

THE Covid inquiry has started examining how the pandemic affected care services for older and disabled people, with families describing the crisis as one of the worst failures of the pandemic.

Nearly 46,000 care home residents died with Covid in England and Wales between March 2020 and January 2022, with many deaths happening in the first weeks of the outbreak.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer and Glastonbury condemn anti-Israel chants by Bob Vylan

Keir Starmer speaks to members of the media during a visit to RAF Valley, on Anglesey in north-west Wales, on June 27, 2025. PAUL CURRIE/Pool via REUTERS

Starmer and Glastonbury condemn anti-Israel chants by Bob Vylan

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer and Glastonbury organisers said on Sunday (29) they were appalled by on-stage chanting against the Israeli military during a performance at the festival by Punk-rap duo Bob Vylan.

During their show on Saturday (28), the duo chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in reference to the Israel Defense Forces, the formal name of the Israeli military.

Keep ReadingShow less
Pakistan floods

A flooded street near Station Road after heavy rainfall in Hyderabad, Pakistan, on June 27, 2025.

Getty

Pakistan reports 45 deaths from flash floods and rain in monsoon onset

AT LEAST 45 people have died in Pakistan over the past few days due to flash flooding and heavy rainfall since the beginning of the monsoon season, according to disaster management officials on Sunday.

The highest number of deaths was reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which borders Afghanistan. There, 21 people were killed, including 10 children.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK Weather Alert: June Heatwave to Hit 34°C, Breaking Records

The UK is bracing for potentially one of the hottest June days on record

iStock

UK set for one of the hottest June days with highs of 34°C

Key points

  • Temperatures may hit 34°C in Greater London and Bedfordshire
  • Amber alert in place across five regions due to health risks
  • Wimbledon’s opening day to be hottest on record
  • Risk of wildfires in London labelled “severe”
  • Scotland and Northern Ireland remain cooler

Hottest June day in years expected as second UK heatwave peaks

The UK is bracing for potentially one of the hottest June days on record, with temperatures expected to reach 34°C on Monday (30 June). The ongoing heatwave, now in its fourth day, is most intense across the South and East of England, particularly in Greater London and Bedfordshire.

Although there is a small chance of temperatures hitting 35°C, they are unlikely to surpass the all-time June record of 35.6°C set in 1976.

Keep ReadingShow less
Air India flight crash
Air India's Boeing 787-8 aircraft, operating flight AI-171 to London Gatwick, crashed into a medical hostel complex shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on June 12.
Getty Images

Probing all angles in Air India crash, including sabotage: Minister

INDIA’s junior civil aviation minister said on Sunday that all possible angles, including sabotage, were being looked into as part of the investigation into the Air India crash.

All but one of the 242 people on board the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner were killed when it crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12. Authorities have identified 19 others who died on the ground. However, a police source told AFP after the crash that the death toll on the ground was 38.

Keep ReadingShow less