Varuna (naval exercise)

VARUNA–15. French Navy destroyer Jean de Vienne during the exercise with Indian Navy destroyer INS Mumbai and frigate INS Gomati (F21).

The annually held Varuna naval exercise is an integral part of France–India strategic relationship in the 21st century and consists of naval cooperation drills between the French Navy and the Indian Navy. The joint-exercises are held either in the Indian Ocean or Mediterranean Sea with the aim of improving Indo-French coordination on capabilities like cross-deck operations, replenishment-at-sea, minesweeping, anti-submarine warfare and information sharing. It was first started in 1983, though given its present name in 2001.[1][2] France is Littoral State of the Indian Ocean through the French Overseas region of Réunion, Mayotte and Scattered Islands in the Indian Ocean.

Editions

2015

Varuna 2015 included a French battle-group led by French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (R91) and carrying aero-naval version of Rafale aircraft operating alongside the Western Naval Command.[3]

2019

The 2019 edition show the participation of French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (R91), surface ships like FNS Forbin, FNS Provence, FNS Latouche-Treville, tanker FNS Marne and a nuclear submarine. The Indian Navy sent its aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, destroyer INS Mumbai, frigate INS Tarkash, and fleet tanker INS Deepak.

2023

The 2023 edition of Varuna exercise, which also saw the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership, was held between 16 and 20 January 2023 along the Goa coast.[4] The Indian Navy was represented by INS Chennai (destroyer), INS Teg (frigate), Boeing P-8I (maritime patrol aircraft), integral helicopters and MiG-29K jets. The French Navy was represented by French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (R91), frigates FS Forbin and Provence, support vessel FS Marne and maritime patrol aircraft Atlantique.[2]

2024

The 2024 edition of Varuna exercise is scheduled from 2 to 4 September 2024 in the Mediterranean Sea. The Indian Navy participates in the exercise with INS Tabar and Boeing P-8I Neptune aircraft. The exercise depicts the first European deployment of the P-8I aircraft after it landed at Hyères airbase. This is 63 years after an Alize aircraft deployed on INS Vikrant last operated from France from the same airbase.[5][6][7]

The Indian Navy was represented by INS Tabar, a shipborne helicopter and LRMRAl P-8I aircraft. The French Navy was represented by FS Provence, Submarine Suffren, Aircraft F20; 1 Bréguet 1150 Atlantic, 1 Aermacchi MB-339 and 1 NHIndustries NH90; 1 Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin.[8]

References

  1. ^ "France, India begin 'Varuna' naval exercise off Goa coast". The Economic Times. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  2. ^ a b "21st EDITION OF INDIA FRANCE BILATERAL NAVAL EXERCISE 'VARUNA' – 2023". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  3. ^ "Indo-French Naval Exercise Varuna 2015 concludes". SP's MAI. 1 May 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  4. ^ "Exercise Varuna 2023". French Embassy in New Delhi. 31 March 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  5. ^ IANS (2 September 2024). "Indian Navy's P-8I lands in France for 'Varuna', marking its first ever deployment in Europe". assamtribune.com. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  6. ^ PTI (2 September 2024). "Indian Navy's P8I on its first-ever deployment in Europe to take part in 'Exercise Varuna'". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  7. ^ "Indian Navy's P-8I Aircraft Marks First-Ever Deployment In Europe, Lands In France For Bilateral Exercise". News18. 2 September 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  8. ^ "INDIA - FRANCE BILATERAL NAVAL EXERCISE VARUNA". Press Information Bureau. 6 September 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
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