Exercise Varuna: 21st Indo-France Naval Drill Begins On Western Seaboard

The exercise will last five days, from January 16 to 20, and will include advanced air defence drills, tactical manoeuvres, surface firings, underway replenishment, and other marine activities.

Exercise Varuna (File Photo) ( Image Source :ANI )

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

Delhi: 21st Edition of the bilateral naval exercise between India and France, 'Exercise Varuna', commenced on the Western Seaboard today. Exercise will be conducted over five days from 16th to 20th January.

(File Pics) pic.twitter.com/XuPDfbDqc4

— ANI (@ANI) January 16, 2023

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

The indigenous guided missile stealth destroyer INS Chennai, guided missile frigate INS Teg, maritime patrol aircraft P-8I and Dornier, integrated helicopters, and MiG29K fighter aircraft will take part in this edition of the drill, 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 exercise will last five days, from January 16 to 20, and will include advanced air defence drills, tactical manoeuvres, surface firings, underway replenishment, and other marine activities, according to the statement.

"Units of both navies will endeavour to hone their war-fighting skills in maritime theatre, enhance their interoperability 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," the Navy stated.

"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 security, safety and freedom of the global maritime commons," the statement added.