Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Exercise Varuna
Why in the News?
India and France recently conducted the 23rd edition of Exercise Varuna, a key bilateral naval exercise aimed at enhancing interoperability and combat readiness between the two countries’ naval forces.
About Exercise Varuna
- Exercise Varuna is a bilateral naval exercise between India and France.
- It was first initiated in 1993 and officially named Varuna in 2001.
- The exercise focuses on enhancing combat readiness, improving interoperability, and deepening maritime security cooperation between the two nations.
- It spans multiple domains, including air, surface, and sub-surface operations, with a strong emphasis on anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and air combat drills.
- Key Highlights:
- The 2025 edition took place from March 19-22 off the coast of Goa, with participants such as INS Vikrant (India) and Charles de Gaulle (France).
- This year’s exercises included aircraft carrier operations, ASW drills, and joint surface warfare operations.
- Rafale-M (French Navy) and MiG-29K (Indian Navy) fighters participated in advanced air defence and mock air-to-air combat scenarios.
- Indian Scorpene-class submarines acted as aggressors, while French and Indian frigates protected high-value assets, including the French oiler Jacques Chevallier.
- These drills enhanced underwater domain awareness and improved ASW tactics.
Other Notable India-France Military Exercises:
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| [UPSC 2024] Which of the following statements about ‘Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023’ are correct?
1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh. 2. It commenced in Aundh (Pune). 3. Joint response during counter-terrorism operations was a goal of this operation. 4. Indian Air Force was a part of this exercise. Select the answer using the code given below: (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 1 and 4 (c) 1 and 4 (d) 2, 3 and 4 |
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