India and France are set to commence their annual bilateral naval exercise, Varuna-2025, in the Arabian Sea on Wednesday. The exercise will feature advanced air defense drills, fighter exercises, and anti-submarine warfare operations, showcasing the growing maritime cooperation between the two nations.
According to the Indian Navy, the joint participation of India’s INS Vikrant and France’s Charles de Gaulle aircraft carriers, along with destroyers, frigates, and an Indian Scorpene-class submarine, underscores the operational synergy between the two forces. Fighter aircraft, including the Indian Navy’s MiG-29K and the French Rafale-M, will engage in mock air-to-air combat exercises to refine tactical capabilities.
“This year’s edition will include complex maritime exercises across sub-surface, surface, and air domains,” the navy said in a statement. “Anti-submarine warfare exercises will provide rigorous training in underwater domain awareness, while surface warfare operations will demonstrate synchronised manoeuvres by the Indian and French fleets.”
The Varuna series of drills, which began in 2001, has evolved into a cornerstone of India-France defence ties, reflecting a commitment to strengthening naval interoperability. Maritime patrol aircraft and replenishment-at-sea exercises will also be conducted to enhance logistical cooperation.
Strengthening Defence Ties
The joint exercise comes as India and France continue to expand their military partnership. Last year, both countries agreed on a roadmap for defence industrial cooperation, focusing on the co-design, co-development, and co-production of military hardware.
Additionally, India is poised to sign two major defence deals with France—one for 26 Rafale-M fighter jets for INS Vikrant and another for three more Scorpene-class submarines. The Rafale-M deal, estimated at around ₹50,000 crore, will bolster India’s naval air power, while the new Scorpene submarines—built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai—will strengthen India’s maritime presence in the Indian Ocean Region.
With China’s growing strategic influence in the region, India’s push for enhanced naval capabilities through Varuna-2025 and its deepening ties with France highlight its commitment to upholding maritime security and the rules-based international order.
Sources By Agencies
