Exercise Varuna

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.