21st Edition Of ‘Varuna’ Naval Exercise Between India And France Begins

The 21st edition of the bilateral naval exercise between India and France began on the western seaboard on Monday, the Indian Navy said in a statement.

The exercise, which began in 1993 and was renamed “Varuna” in 2001, has become “a hallmark of India-France strategic bilateral relationship,” according to the statement.

The indigenous guided missile stealth destroyer INS Chennai, guided missile frigate INS Teg, maritime patrol aircraft P-8I and Dornier, integral helicopters, and MiG29K fighter aircraft will participate in this edition of the exercise, according to a statement.

According to the statement, the French Navy will be 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 statement also said that the exercise will last five days, from January 16 to 20, and will include advanced air defence exercises, tactical manoeuvres, surface firings, underway replenishment and other maritime operations.

“Units from both navies will strive to hone their warfighting skills in the maritime domain, improve their interoperability to conduct multi-discipline operations in the maritime domain, and demonstrate their ability as an integrated force to promote peace, security, and stability in the region,” the Navy stated.

Having grown in scope and complexity over the years, the Navy said 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 both nations' shared commitment to security, safety and freedom of the global maritime commons,” the statement said.