The Indian and French navies concluded their bilateral exercise VARUNA that has been a key enabler in building interoperability and strengthening the coordination between the two navies, a defence ministry statement said. 

Conducted from 25-27 April in the Arabian Sea, the exercise witnessed high tempo-naval operations at sea, including advanced air defence and anti-submarine exercises, intense fixed and rotary wing flying operations  including cross deck helicopter landings, tactical manoeuvres, surface and anti-air weapon firings, underway replenishment and other maritime security operations. Units of both navies honed and enhanced their war-fighting skills to demonstrate their ability as an integrated force to promote peace, security and stability in the maritime domain.

The common understanding of the two navies in executing maritime operations was evident right from the start of the exercise wherein the entire planning was carried out through virtual meetings and the exercises were conducted completely in the non-contact format.

The seamless coordination, precise execution of maneuvers, and accuracy in complex exercises characterized the conduct of Varuna-2021 and has helped further strengthen mutual confidence, inter-operability and sharing of best practices between both navies.

Indian Navy’s guided-missile frigate Tarkash will continue to exercise with the French Navy’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG) from 28 April to 1 May 2021 participating in advanced surface, anti-submarine and air-defence operations with the French CSG.