New

Delhi, 19 March (HS): 23rd iteration of the bilateral naval exercise VARUNA,

which represents India and France's solid maritime alliance, will be held from

March 19 to 22. Since its beginning in

2001, VARUNA has served as an important venue for improving naval

interoperability and operational cooperation between two countries.

This

year's exercise will include a wide spectrum of marine activities on the

subsurface, surface, and air domains.

Notably, the Indian Navy's INS Vikrant and the French Navy's Charles de

Gaulle aircraft carriers will participate, supported by their respective fighter

planes, destroyers, frigates, and an Indian Scorpene-class submarine,

demonstrating the combined naval power of both countries. VARUNA 2025 will involve sophisticated air

defense drills and high-intensity fighter exercises, such as mock air-to-air combat

between French Rafale-M and Indian MiG-29K, with the goal of improving tactical

and operational skills.

The

exercise will also include anti-submarine warfare drills to boost undersea

domain awareness, surface warfare operations to showcase synchronized fleet

maneuvers, and maritime patrol aircraft operations to improve situational

awareness. Furthermore,

replenishment-at-sea drills will improve logistical coordination between the

two fleets. VARUNA 2025 reinforces both

nations' capacity to function effectively in complicated maritime settings by

encouraging the exchange of best practices and strengthening mutual

understanding. The exercise demonstrates

their shared commitment to a free, open, and safe maritime environment,

cementing the close ties between the Indian and French Navies in guaranteeing

regional and global maritime security.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi