Exercise Varuna

• 04 Sep 2024

The 2024 Indo-French bilateral naval Exercise Varuna, being held from September 2 to 4, 2024, in the Mediterranean Sea, will feature advanced tactical exercises to enhance the synergy and interoperability between the Indian and French navies.

• An Indian Navy P8I aircraft arrived in France for the 2024 edition of Exercise Varuna, marking its first deployment in Europe.
• This deployment is significant as it comes 63 years after the Indian Navy's Alize aircraft last flew from Hyeres Airbase during its time with the INS Vikrant.
• INS Tabar, which had previously arrived in Toulon, France, will also participate in the exercise alongside the P8I aircraft.
• The exercise aims to bolster naval cooperation and demonstrate the growing partnership between India and France.