Advanced air defence drills and fighter exercises, including mock air-to-air combat between the French Rafale-M and Indian MiG-29K, and anti-submarine war games will be part of the four-day bilateral naval exercise—VARUNA—between India and France.
An exhilarating array of maritime exercises and complex manoeuvres across the sub-surface, surface, and air domains, involving aircraft carriers Vikrant and Charles de Gaulle, alongside their fighter aircraft, destroyers, frigates, and an Indian Scorpene-class submarine, will be featured in the 23rd edition of the exercise, which will begin on Wednesday.
The anti-submarine warfare exercises will provide rigorous training in underwater domain awareness while surface warfare operations will demonstrate synchronised manoeuvres and engagements by the Indian and French fleets, the defence ministry said in a statement.
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“Maritime patrol aircraft will enhance situational awareness, and replenishment-at-sea exercises will fortify logistical cooperation. This collaboration underscores the shared vision of safeguarding a free, open, and secure maritime environment,” the ministry observed.
According to the ministry, the exercise is a testament to the enduring maritime partnership between India and France. “Since its inception in 2001, VARUNA has evolved into a cornerstone of cooperation, showcasing the two nations' commitment to enhancing naval interoperability and operational synergy.”
By fostering the exchange of best practices and mutual understanding, exercise VARUNA reaffirms the ability of both nations to operate seamlessly in even the most complex maritime scenarios. The exercise stands as a powerful reminder of the deep bonds uniting the Indian and French Navies in their pursuit of maritime peace and security, the defence ministry added.