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The Indian and French Navies are gearing up for the 23rd edition of their bilateral naval exercise, VARUNA 2025.
It is the bilateral Naval Exercise between India and France.
Initiated in 1993, the exercise was christened ‘Varuna’ in 2001 and has become a hallmark of the India-France strategic bilateral relationship.
VARUNA 2025 is the 23rd edition of the exercise and will take place in the Arabian Sea.
It will showcase a series of high-intensity naval drills, emphasizing joint operations across sub-surface, surface, and aerial domains.
The Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, and the French aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle, will participate alongside their fighter aircraft, destroyers, frigates, and an Indian Scorpene-class submarine, demonstrating the combined strength and operational capabilities of both naval forces.
advanced air defence drills and mock air-to-air combat scenarios between the French Rafale-M and Indian MiG-29K fighter jets