India and France begin naval exercise 'Varuna'

10-day naval exercise ‘Varuna’ between India and France began on 23 April 2015 off the Goa coast.
It is the fourteenth edition of this naval exercise which will host of naval assets of both countries and will conclude on 3 May 2015.
Scope of exercise: It will include the entire gamut of various maritime operations from aircraft carrier operations, maritime interdiction operations, anti-submarines warfare exercises to multi-ship replenishment exercise.
Key facts

• French Navy’s Aircraft Carrier Charles de Gaulle with its fighter aircraft Rafale M, E2C Hawkeye AWACS and helicopters Dauphin, Strike Aircraft Super Etendard and Alouette 3 is going to take part.
• Apart from it two destroyers Chevalier Paul and Jean de Vienne, replenishment tanker Meuse and a maritime patrol aircraft Atlantique 2 are also going to take part.
• From Indian side fleet of aircraft carrier INS Viraat, destroyer INS Mumbai and stealth frigate INS Tarkash are going to take part.
• Apart from them submarine INS Shankul, guided missile frigate INS Gomati, replenishment tanker INS Deepak and a few Fast Attack Craft are also participating.
• Indian Navy’s carrier-borne fighter aircrafts like Sea Harriers, maritime reconnaissance aircraft P-8I and Dorniers along with integral helicopters Chetak and Seaking 42B are also be participating.

About Varuna naval exercise

• Following the establishment of strategic partnership in 1998 between both countries, every year Indian Navy and French Navy are conducting naval exercises.
• In 2001, the naval exercise was named as ‘Varuna’. Thirteenth edition of this naval exercise was conducted in the Mediterranean Sea.

Month: Current Affairs - April, 2015