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Context:
India and France deployed their aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and Charles de Gaulle for the bilateral naval exercise Varuna from March 19 to 22, 2024, off the coast of Goa. The exercise offered India a valuable opportunity to closely observe and operate the French Navy’s Rafale-M fighter jets, which India is set to acquire soon. The joint exercise also placed significant emphasis on anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations.
Key Highlights of the Exercise
- The exercise covered comprehensive naval warfare domains:
- Sub-surface operations involving Indian submarines.
- Surface warfare with coordinated engagements between Indian and French frigates.
- Air warfare integrating MiG-29K and Rafale-M fighter jets from both carriers.
- ASW operations were a major focus:
- An Indian submarine played the role of aggressor.
- Indian and French frigates worked in tandem to protect the high-value French replenishment vessel Jacques Chevallier.
- Both navies compared tactics and refined methods to strengthen underwater warfare cooperation.
Operational Features
- Surface Warfare Drills: Synchronised manoeuvres and ship-to-ship engagement training.
- Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) Integration: Enhanced situational awareness for coordinated threat detection and response.
- Replenishment at Sea (RAS): Logistics and refuelling exercises to strengthen endurance and joint operational capabilities.
Strategic Importance
- The exercise reinforced a shared commitment between India and France toward safeguarding a free, open, and secure maritime environment.
- It deepened trust and enhanced interoperability between the two navies in critical warfare domains.
French Deployment
- The French Carrier Strike Group (CSG), led by Charles de Gaulle, has been deployed in the Indian Ocean Region since November 2024 as part of Mission Clemenceau 25, underscoring France’s strategic focus on the Indo-Pacific region.