HMS Defender joined up with the Indian Navy as she deployed for an Asia-Pacific deployment… in the English Channel.

The Royal Navy say that the Portsmouth-based Type 45 destroyer met up with INS Tarkash in unseasonably bleak August weather off the South Coast for the two navies’ annual workout: Exercise Konkan.

“Konkan is a long-running exercise designed to test the ability of the two Commonwealth navies to operate side-by-side if it comes to the crunch. It typically takes place off the namesake stretch of coastline in India – running for 450 miles along the Western Seaboard and encompassing Mumbai and Goa – as the Royal Navy maintains a regular presence in the Indian Ocean.

But when Delhi dispatches its ships on deployments to western Europe, Britain hosts the exercises on its home turf. And so on the eve of the 72nd anniversary of Indian independence, Defender – which only left Portsmouth on Monday at the beginning of a mission to the Pacific Rim – linked up with ‘stealth frigate’ INS Tarkash in conditions more British, than Indian summer.”

The Royal Navy say that the pair conducted various combined training manoeuvres and serials including involving anti-submarine warfare demonstrations and boarding operations.

“It was interesting to see how culturally different the ship was, but also lots of similarities to our own ship,” said communications specialist Engineering Technician Angus Lawrence in a news release.

The Royal Navy say that both vessels are regarded as ‘stealth’ ships – designed to make the minimum impact on a foe’s radar display – with HMS Defender specifically designed to shield a task group from air attack, while the Russian-built Tarkash is a general-purpose frigate bristling with anti-ship/anti-land/anti-air missiles.

Tom has spent the last 13 years working in the defence industry, specifically military and commercial shipbuilding. His work has taken him around Europe and the Far East, he is currently based in Scotland.
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Geoffrey Hicking
Geoffrey Hicking
4 years ago

Nice to know we get on well together.

Cam
Cam
4 years ago

That Russian built frigate Looks small in comparison to HMS defender., I wonder how many more weapons it holds.

Ulya
Ulya
4 years ago
Reply to  Cam

It is small, little over 4,000 tons, weapons is 24-32 medium and short range SAM, 8-16 cruise and AshM from memory, depends if they kept same as Russian version

Paul T
Paul T
4 years ago
Reply to  Ulya

Ulya – yes in other words quite a balanced Armament for its size.

Ulya
Ulya
4 years ago
Reply to  Paul T

Yes Paul, It is very interesting to see the difference between western and Russian ships, weapons, size, range, role etc, I have only started taking notice of ships a little while ago so have much to learn but find it fascinating. Royal navy interests me alot

Rob
Rob
4 years ago
Reply to  Ulya

I would imagine the Royal Navy would like the T31e to have similar armament to the Tarkash (or at least the Russian version) but will end up with a similar sized platform with far less weapons. All comes down to money I’m afraid.

Lewis
Lewis
4 years ago

And the minute the ship arrives home the Indian Media will be screaming that they ‘annihilated the Royal Navy in simulated excersises’ like they did with the RAF lol.

Steve Martin
Steve Martin
4 years ago
Reply to  Lewis

Always better to be underestimated.

Harry Bulpit
Harry Bulpit
4 years ago
Reply to  Steve Martin

Agreed!

dave12
dave12
4 years ago

Whats going to happen to the other 3 Russian empty hulls of this class I wonder? another purchase for india maybe as the engine supply problems still have not been sorted.

Ulya
Ulya
4 years ago
Reply to  dave12

I remember reading an article that the 3 would be sold to India and they would buy the engines directly from Ukraine but I cannot find it sorry Dave. I will try again later when time allows

dave12
dave12
4 years ago
Reply to  Ulya

Yes so wiki says but wiki also mentions 8 planned in total.

Steve Naive
Steve Naive
4 years ago
Reply to  dave12

Ha Ha!! This isn’t the first time Russian military technology has engine problems when India buys their hardware, just look at the 5th Gen fighter project that India has pulled the of because of chronic engine problems..