21st edition of bilateral naval exercise 'Varuna' - 2023 to be held

Tags: Defence

On 16 January 2023, The 21st edition of the bilateral naval exercise "Varuna" between India and France began off the western seaboard.

• The exercise will be conducted for five days from 16 to 20 January 2023.

• The current edition of the exercise will involve Indian Navy's indigenous Guided Missile Stealth Destroyer Ship INS Chennai, Guided Missile Frigate INS Teg Nauka, Maritime Patrol Aircraft P-8I and Dornier, integral helicopters and MiG29.

• The French Navy will be represented by aircraft carriers Charles de Gaulle, FS Forbin and Provence yachts, support ship FS Marne and maritime patrol aircraft Atlantique.

• Enhanced air defence exercises, tactical manoeuvres, surface firing, replenishment and other maritime operational activities will be conducted during the exercise.

• The bilateral exercise between the navies of India and France was started in the year 1993, it was named 'Varuna' in the year 2001.

• Three biennial training exercises are conducted between India and France -

• Garuda – Exercise Garuda VII between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the French Air and Space Force (FASF) was held in November 2022 at Air Force Station Jodhpur.

• VARUNA - The 20th edition of the bilateral naval exercise named 'Varuna' between the Indian Navy and the French Navy was conducted from March 30 to April 03, 2022 in the Arabian Sea.

SHAKTI - The 6th edition of the biennial training exercise 'Yudhbhayas Shakti 2021' between the armies of India and France was conducted from November 15-26, 2021 at Frejus, France.