INDIA - FRANCE BILATERAL NAVAL EXERCISE VARUNA

Context:

The 2024 Indo-French bilateral naval Exercise Varuna was held from September 2 to 4, 2024.

‘Indian Naval Ship Tabar & LRMR P8I Aircraft Participate in the 22nd edition of IN - FN Bilateral Exercise VARUNA in the Mediterranean Sea’.

Details

Particulars

Description

Initiation Year

1983 and renamed asVaruna in 2001.

Venue

• The joint-exercises are held either in theIndian Ocean or Mediterranean Sea.
• 2024 editionis being conducted in theMediterranean Sea.

Aim and Objectives

• Improving Indo-French coordination on capabilities likecross-deck operations, replenishment-at-sea, minesweeping, anti-submarine warfare.
• To strengthenIndia-France strategic bilateral relationship.

Indian Navy's participants

P-8I aircraftandINS Tabar.

P-8I Aircraft

• It is anAmerican originAircraft.
• The Indian Navy hastwelve P8i aircraftin total.
• Role:Coastal patrolling,maritime surveillance, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, search-and-rescue, anti-piracy, and supporting operations of other arms of the military.
• Significance of P-8I’s Participation: Reflects growing sophistication and complexity of joint operations.

INS Tabar

• INS Tabar, is a stealth frigatebuilt for the Indian Navy in Russia.
• The ship is equipped with a versatile range ofweapons and sensorsand is among the earlieststealth frigatesof the Indian Navy.
• The ship is part of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet which is based at Mumbai under theWestern Naval Command.