INS Trishul docks in Lisbon after Konkan-26 exercise with Royal Navy
Synopsis
INS Trishul has sailed from a high-intensity bilateral drill with the Royal Navy straight into a port call at Lisbon — a quiet but pointed signal of India's expanding naval footprint in the Atlantic. The Konkan-26 exercise, spanning anti-submarine warfare, weapon firings and multi-threat operations, is the latest chapter in a two-decade partnership that is growing harder to dismiss as routine.
Key Takeaways
INS Trishul arrived in Lisbon, Portugal on 18 October 2026 after completing the Konkan-26 exercise.
The India-UK exercise Konkan-26 was conducted from 8 to 15 October 2026 off Plymouth, UK .
The Royal Navy deployed HMS Sutherland , a Duke-class anti-submarine warfare frigate, for the drill.
The four-day Sea Phase ( 12–15 October 2026 ) covered anti-submarine warfare, weapon firings, and multi-threat maritime operations.
INS Trishul was received in Lisbon by First Secretary Ronnie E.
Spurgeon and Defence Attaché Col Rohan Falnikar .
The Konkan exercise series has grown in scale and complexity over the past two decades , according to the Ministry of Defence.
Indian Navy's stealth frigate INS Trishul arrived in Lisbon, Portugal on 18 October 2026, following its participation in the India-UK bilateral maritime exercise Konkan-26, which concluded off Plymouth, United Kingdom. The Embassy of India in Portugal confirmed the arrival, marking a port visit that extends the ship's operational footprint from the Atlantic into the Iberian Peninsula.
Official Reception in Lisbon
INS Trishul was received at Lisbon by First Secretary Ronnie E. Spurgeon and Defence Attaché Colonel Rohan Falnikar of the Embassy of India in Portugal. 'The officers and staff of the Embassy extend a warm and hearty welcome to the ship and its crew to Portugal,' the Embassy stated in a post on X.
Konkan-26: What the Exercise Covered
Conducted from 8 to 15 October 2026, Konkan-26 saw INS Trishul represent the Indian Navy alongside the Royal Navy's HMS Sutherland, a Duke-class anti-submarine warfare frigate. The exercise was supervised by the Royal Navy's Fleet Operational Standards and Training (FOST).
The intensive four-day Sea Phase, running from 12 to 15 October 2026, covered advanced seamanship manoeuvres, joint tactical exercises, communication procedures, anti-surface asymmetric warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and weapon firings in a multi-threat maritime environment, according to an Indian Navy statement.
Interoperability and Strategic Significance
'Through the exchange of professional expertise and best practices, Konkan-26 reinforced the ability of the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy to operate together across complex maritime scenarios, furthering the enduring maritime partnership between India and the UK,' the Navy said.
The Ministry of Defence had earlier noted that the annual exercise has grown significantly in scale and complexity over the past two decades, building enhanced interoperability and mutual understanding between the two navies. Notably, Konkan exercises have evolved from basic passage exercises into full-spectrum naval engagements, reflecting the deepening India-UK defence relationship under successive bilateral frameworks.
Context: India-UK Maritime Ties
The Konkan series is one of several bilateral maritime exercises India conducts with Western navies, alongside drills with the US, France, and Australia. INS Trishul's transit to Portugal after the exercise signals the Indian Navy's growing presence in the Eastern Atlantic and its ability to sustain extended blue-water deployments. The Lisbon port call is also expected to facilitate informal defence exchanges with Portuguese naval counterparts.
Point of View
Konkan has shifted from basic passage drills to full-spectrum warfare scenarios including weapon firings and anti-submarine operations, mirroring the broader India-UK defence convergence post-Brexit. What mainstream coverage misses is the Atlantic dimension: INS Trishul operating off Plymouth and then docking in Lisbon is a marker of Indian blue-water ambition that goes well beyond the Indo-Pacific narrative. As India deepens ties with European navies, the question is whether these bilateral exercises translate into interoperable doctrine or remain high-visibility showcases.
NationPress
18 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is INS Trishul and why is its Lisbon visit significant?
INS Trishul is an Indian Navy stealth frigate that arrived in Lisbon, Portugal on 18 October 2026 after completing the Konkan-26 bilateral maritime exercise with the Royal Navy off Plymouth, UK. The port call marks a notable extension of the Indian Navy's operational presence into the Eastern Atlantic.
What is the Konkan exercise series?
Konkan is an annual India-UK bilateral maritime exercise that has run for over two decades. It has grown significantly in scale and complexity, covering advanced seamanship, anti-submarine warfare, and multi-threat maritime operations, and is a cornerstone of defence ties between the two countries.
What did Konkan-26 specifically involve?
Konkan-26 was conducted from 8 to 15 October 2026 off Plymouth, UK. The four-day Sea Phase (12–15 October) included advanced seamanship manoeuvres, joint tactical exercises, anti-surface asymmetric warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and weapon firings in a multi-threat environment.
Which Royal Navy ship participated in Konkan-26?
The Royal Navy deployed HMS Sutherland, a Duke-class anti-submarine warfare frigate, for Konkan-26. The exercise was conducted under the Royal Navy's Fleet Operational Standards and Training (FOST).
Who received INS Trishul in Lisbon?
INS Trishul was received in Lisbon by First Secretary Ronnie E. Spurgeon and Defence Attaché Colonel Rohan Falnikar from the Embassy of India in Portugal. The Embassy extended an official welcome to the ship and its crew.
