Indian, French navies conclude exercise VARUNA-2021

The 19^th edition of the Indo-French naval exercise ‘VARUNA-2021’ concluded on 27 April 2021.

The bilateral exercise has been a key enabler in building interoperability and strengthening the coordination between the two navies.

According to the Indian Navy, VARUNA has matured over the years with increase in scope, complexity of operations and level of participation.

 Conducted from 25-27 Apr 2021 in the Arabian Sea, the naval drill 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 warfighting skills to demonstrate their ability as an integrated force to promote peace, security and stability in the maritime domain.

The entire planning was carried out through virtual meeting and the exercises were conducted completely in the non-contact format due to the COVID-19.

Indian Navy’s guided missile frigate INS Tarkash (F50) 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.