By Raju Vernekar
Mumbai, Jan 18:
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 named as “Varuna “ in 2001. Now it has become a hallmark of India – France strategic bilateral relationship.
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 MiG29K fighter aircraft are participating, an official statement read.
The French Navy is being represented by the aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle, frigates FS Forbin and Provence, support vessel FS Marne and maritime patrol aircraft Atlantique.
The exercise will witness advanced air defence exercises, tactical manoeuvres, surface firings, underway replenishment and other maritime operations. Units of both navies will endeavour to hone their war-fighting skills in 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 security, safety and freedom of the global maritime commons.
Indo-France joint exercises are being held in different areas regularly. Both the countries have also built on their longstanding air force cooperation through the tactical bilateral exercise, “Garuda”, held alternately in France and India.
