INDIA. Mumbai: The 21st Edition of the Bilateral Naval Exercise between India and France, – ‘Varuna 2023’, which commenced on the Western Seaboard on Monday, will be on till Friday.
While the bilateral exercise between the two navies was initiated in 1993, it was renamed ‘Varuna’ in 2001. Now it has become a hallmark of the India – France strategic bilateral relationship.
An official statement read that from India, the indigenous guided missile stealth destroyer INS Chennai, guided missile frigate INS Teg, maritime patrol aircraft P-8I and Dornier, integral helicopters, and MiG-29K fighter aircraft were participating.
The French Navy is represented by the aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle, the frigates FS Forbin and Provence, the support vessel FS Marne and the maritime patrol aircraft Atlantique.
The exercise will witness advanced air defense exercises, tactical manoeuvres, surface firings, underway replenishment, and other maritime operations.
Units of both navies will endeavour to hone their warfighting skills in the maritime theatre, enhance their inter-operability to undertake multi-discipline operations in the maritime domain, and demonstrate their ability as an integrated force to promote peace, security, and stability in the region.
Having grown in scope and complexity over the years, this exercise provides an opportunity to learn from each other’s best practices.
The exercise facilitates operational-level interaction between the two navies to foster mutual cooperation for good order at sea, underscoring the shared commitment of both nations to the security, safety, and freedom of the global maritime commons.
Indo-French joint exercises are being held in different areas regularly. Both countries have also built on their longstanding air force cooperation through the tactical bilateral exercise, ‘Garuda,’ held alternately in France and India.
Also Read: Indo-French Bilateral Exercise -“Garuda VIl” Begins at Air Force Station in Rajasthan
