Indo-French Navy Showed Its Strength In The Arabian Sea

Indo-French navy showed its strength in the Arabian Sea, China’s eye on Varuna-2021.

The 19th edition of the bilateral exercise ‘Varuna-2021’ between the navies of India and France began on 25 April.

The exercise between the two navies lasted till April 27 in the Arabian Sea. This exercise was very useful in terms of coordination and cooperation between the navies of both countries.

This high-level naval exercise was considered very important to deal with the growing challenge of China in the Indian Ocean.

Relations between India and France have traditionally been very good, especially on issues such as terrorism, defense, nuclear, and space.

Guided Missile Stealth Destroyer INS Kolkata, Guided Missile Frigates INS Tarak, INS Talwar, Fleet Support Ship INS Deepak, and Chetak Integrated Helicopters, Kalvari Class Submarine, and P8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft will participate in this exercise from the Indian Navy.

Similarly, French Navy aircraft carrier Charles-de-Galle’s Rafale-M fighter jets and E2C hockey aircraft, Chevalier Pal, Aquitaine-class multi-mission frigate Provence, and tankers joined.

The Indian side would be led by Rear Admiral Ajay Kochhar, Flag Officer Western Command, while the French side was led by Rear Admiral Marc Ausadat, Commander of Task Force 473.

The three-day exercise showcased high-speed naval operations at sea, including advanced air defense and anti-submarine exercises, rapid fixed and rotary wing flight operations, tactical maneuvers, surface, and anti-aircraft weapon firings, underground replication, and other maritime Security operations included.

Units of both the navies endeavored to enhance their war-fighting prowess while demonstrating their capability as a unified force to promote peace, security, and stability in the maritime domain.

Earlier, the Indian and French navies along with the navies of the US, Japan, and Australia participated in the exercise ‘La Perez’ in the Bay of Bengal from April 5 to April 7.

Following the completion of the ‘Varun-2021’ exercise, the Indian Navy’s guided-missile frigate INS Tarak conducted the exercise with the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) of the French Navy from 28 April to 1 May 2021.

Indo-French navy showed its strength: During this period INS Tarak participated in advanced surface, anti-submarine, and air-defense operations with the French CSG.

Varun-21 proved to be effective in enhancing the level of synergy, coordination, and interoperability between the two friendly navies as well as in furthering the shared values ​​of the two navies.

The exercise ensures a commitment to freedom of the sea, an inclusive Indo-Pacific, and a rules-based international order.

According to the Navy spokesperson, this high-level naval exercise was very important to deal with the growing challenge of China in the Indian Ocean.

Relations between India and France have traditionally been very good, especially on issues such as terrorism, defense, nuclear, and space.

A total of three military exercises are conducted between the armies of the two countries, which are Exercise Varun (Navy), Exercise Garun (Air Force), and Exercise Shakti (Army).