Exercise Varuna:
A P8I aircraft of the Indian Navy has reached France to participate in ‘Exercise Varuna’ with the French Navy.
- Exercise Varuna is the bilateral Naval Exercisebetween India and France.
- This bilateral exercise between the two navies was initiated in 1993.
- It was named ‘VARUNA’ in 2001and has become a hallmark of India-France’s strategic bilateral relationship.
- The 2024 edition of Indo-French bilateral naval ‘Exercise Varuna’ is scheduled in the Mediterranean Sea.
- It includes advanced tactical exercises underscoring the deepening synergy and interoperability between the two navies.
- The Indian Navy’s P-8I aircraft, renowned for its maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare capabilities, will play a pivotal role in these exercises and it joins the INS Tabar.
- The P-8I’s participation in Exercise Varuna reflects the growing sophistication and complexity of the joint operations between the Indian and French navies.
- P-8I aircraft is a long-range, multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft being manufactured by Boeing for the Indian Navy.
