Indian and French navies conduct second phase of Varuna bilateral exercise [fr]
India and France have been strategic partners for more than twenty years. This partnership is the subject of recurrent dialogues and regular bilateral military exercises.
New Delhi, 28 May 2019
The second phase of the Indo-French naval exercise, christened as Varuna 19.2, which was held from 22nd to 25th May 2019, brought together a French nuclear attack submarine, currently deployed in the Indian Ocean, and an Indian submarine.
Organised under the operational control of the French Joint Forces Commander in the Indian Ocean (ALINDIEN), this exercise was an opportunity to reinforce our capabilities for joint action in a critical and strategic field while demonstrating the high level of interoperability achieved.
This major training, comprising submarine combat exercises, lasted for more than 35 hours. The high-level exercises allowed both crews to be trained in detection, tracking, plunge attack, while maintaining control over maritime areas and their environment.
As part of Varuna.19.1, which included the participation of the French Navy’s aircraft carrier, FNS Charles de Gaulle, the French submarine had already conducted an exercise with an Indian submarine for a period of seven hours. Varuna 19.2 aims to deepen this first interaction in a new environment.
India and France have been strategic partners for more than twenty years. This partnership is the subject of recurrent dialogues and regular bilateral military exercises.
With nearly 650 soldiers deployed, the French Forces in the United Arab Emirates (FFEAU), is one of France’s advanced operational bases abroad. As such, it supports the French military assets deployed in the Persian Gulf and the north of the Indian Ocean. Due to its conditions, it also allows training French soldiers in combat actions in desert as well as urban areas. As French Joint Forces Commander in the Indian Ocean (ALINDIEN), the Commander of the French Forces in the United Arab Emirates (COMFOR FFEAU) exercises authority over a maritime area stretching from the south of the Suez Canal in the west to the western limits of the waters of Burma, Indonesia and Australia in the east. He upholds France’s defence policy and maintains bilateral military relations.