Mr Laxmikant Parsekar, Chief Minister of Goa, along with Vice Admiral SPS Cheema, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command reviewing the progress of the exercise form on board French Navy’s Aircraft Carrier, Charles de Gaulle.

 

Mr Laxmikant Parsekar, Chief Minister of Goa, along with Vice Admiral SPS Cheema, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command reviewing the progress of the exercise form on board French Navy’s Aircraft Carrier, Charles de Gaulle.

 

Mr Laxmikant Parsekar, Chief Minister of Goa, along with Vice Admiral S.P.S .Cheema, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command on board French Navy’s Aircraft Carrier, Charles de Gaulle. Seen in the background is the French fighter aircraft Rafale.

 

French Navy destroyers Jean de Vienne engaging in Underway Replenishment (UNREP) with INS Deepak.

 

French Navy destroyers Jean de Vienne engaging in Underway Replenishment (UNREP) with INS Deepak.

 

French Navy destroyers Jean de Vienne during the exercise with guided missile destroyer INS Mumbai and guided missile frigate INS Gomati.

Fourteenth edition of Indo-French naval exercise (VARUNA) concluded today off Goa. The ten day long exercise commenced on April 23, 2015 and included both a harbour and sea phase.

Mr Laxmikant Parsekar, Chief Minister of Goa, French ambassador Mr. François Richier along with Vice Admiral S.P.S. Cheema, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command and other senior naval officers embarked the French Navy’s Aircraft Carrier, Charles de Gaulle on the final day of the sea phase of the exercise.

It may be recalled that the French Navy was represented by Aircraft Carrier Charles de Gaulle, two destroyers Chevalier Paul and Jean de Vienne, replenishment tanker Meuse and a maritime patrol aircraft Atlantique 2. The Aircraft Carrier Charles de Gaulle was carrying its complement of fighter aircraft Rafale M, Strike Aircraft Super Etendard, E2C Hawkeye AWACS and helicopters Dauphin and Alouette 3.

From the Indian side Aircraft Carrier INS Viraat, destroyer Mumbai, stealth frigate Tarkash, guided missile frigate Gomati, replenishment tanker Deepak, submarine Shankul and a few Fast Attack Craft participated. Aviation assets of the Indian Navy included carrier-borne fighter aircraft Sea Harriers, maritime reconnaissance aircraft P-8 I and Dorniers along with integral helicopters Seaking 42B and Chetak.

The scope of Exercise VARUNA included the entire gamut of maritime operations ranging from Aircraft Carrier Operations, Anti Submarines Warfare Exercises, Maritime Interdiction Operations to multi-ship replenishment exercise.

Regular IN-FN interaction over the years has allowed both navies to gradually and systematically increase the complexity and professional content of the joint exercises. VARUNA aims at deriving mutual benefit from the experiences of the two navies. The confidence gained through such exercises helps develop Standard Operating Procedures, particularly in the fields of Joint Maritime Air Operations Planning with exchange of Carrier Operational Capabilities. The other joint exercises included Coordinated Anti-Submarine Exercises, Surface Exercises, Cross Deck Flying, Damage Control and Fire Fighting, Air Defence, Firing Drills, Air to Sea Firing, Tactical Exercises and Visit Board Search and Seize Operations, which further hone the fighting efficiency of the two combat forces.

The exercise goes a long way in enhancing interoperability between the two navies and also showcases the close ties between the two countries.

Background

Relations between India and France have traditionally been closeand friendly. With the establishment of strategic partnership in 1998, therehas been significant progress in all areas of bilateral cooperation andexchanges including naval exercises. The Indian Navy and the French Navy havebeen conducting naval exercises since 1983 and following the establishment of astrategic partnership, these exercises were christened as ‘VARUNA’ in 2001.Till date, thirteen such exercises have been conducted and the last exercise VARUNA 12 was conducted in the Mediterranean Sea from 19-22 Jul 12 off Toulon.

French Navy’s aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle at Mormugoa Harbour
during the harbour phase of the exercise.

French Navy helicopter Dauphin operating from INS Viraat.

Photo Credit: PRO (Navy)