23rd Exercise Varuna 2025:
The Indian and French navies are set to commence the 23rd edition of the annual bilateral naval exercise, Varuna-2025, in the Arabian Sea.
- It will include aircraft carriers INS Vikrant (India) and Charles de Gaulle (France), along with fighter aircraft, destroyers, frigates, and an Indian Scorpene-class submarine.
- It was first held in 2001 and aims to enhance interoperability and operational synergy.
- India and France strengthened military ties with a new defence industrial roadmap for co-design, co-development, and co-production of defense equipment.
- Upcoming Defence Deals: 26 Rafale-M fighter jets for INS Vikrant.
- 3 additional Scorpene-class submarines to be built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) under Project 75.
- MDL has already built six Kalvari-class (Scorpene) submarines with French technology transfer.
