The Press Information Bureau,
The eighth bilateral exercise of the generic series 'VARUNA' is scheduled off our west coast from 27 Mar to 07 Apr 06. Five Indian navy surface combatants, one submarine, and a number of different types of shore-based fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft will be participating in for this year's exercise, which is called “Varuna-2006”. The participating Indian units will be under the tactical command of the FOCWF (Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet), Rear Admiral Anup Singh. His counterpart from the French Navy, will be Rear Admiral Xavier Magne.
The Indian Navy will be fielding the aircraft carrier Viraat along with her air-group, the guided-missile destroyer Mumbai, the guided-missile frigates Gomati and Betwa, the fleet-replenishment tanker Aditya, and, the submarine Shankul. The Indian Air Force will also participate in 'Varuna-2006' and will field Jaguar And Canberra aircraft. The French task force comprises their nuclear-propelled aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (with her own air group), the guided-missile destroyers Cassard and Montcalm, the fleet-replenishment tanker Somme, the nuclear-powered submarine (SSN) Saphir, and, French 'Atlantique-II' Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPAs) that will operate ex-Goa. In conformance with modern practice, the French task force has one Royal Navy frigate, HMS Lancaster, embedded within it.
One of the major thrust-areas would be 'DACT' (Dissimilar Air Combat) between the Indian Navy's Sea Harrier aircraft ex-Viraat, and, the Rafale and Super Etendards of the Charles de Gaulle. Other aspects that would be exercised by the two navies include fleet air-defence, intermediate and advanced ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare), MIO (Maritime Interdiction Operations), VBSS (Visit, Board, Search & Seizure) procedures and tactical manoeuvres.
Some of the 'firsts' of this exercise include the co-ordinated operation of the Indian and French aircraft carriers (Viraat and Charles de Gaulle), firing on aerial targets, cross-deck operations by the Indian Navy's Sea Harrier aircraft from the deck of the Charles de Gaulle, and, participation by the Indian Air Force.
A DVP (Distinguished Visitors' Programme) – which would also include a few representatives of the print and electronic media – has been scheduled on 02 Apr 06, off Goa.
The 'Varuna' series of joint exercises between the Indian and the French navies commenced in 2001 and has grown in scope and complexity over the years. These exercises have been hugely successful in facilitating mutual learning and interoperability between the two navies. These skills would stand both countries in good stead in several facets of naval activities, such as disaster-management. The last such exercise was held in November 2005 off Djibouti (in the Gulf Of Aden).
The exercise also incorporates harbour based professional, social and sports interaction between the two navies. The Indian Navy lays great stress on enhancing bilateral ties and improving mutual understanding and interoperability with navies of developed countries through professional and operational interaction. The exercise will, in addition, provide an opportunity to showcase Indian naval ship-building capability through the participation of indigenously-built front-line ships such as Mumbai, Gomati, Betwa and Aditya.
'Varuna-2006' is a significant indicator of the continuing and growing co-operation between India and France.
