On 23rd April 2015,India and France began their 14th edition of 10 day naval exercise ‘‘Varuna” where 12 Rafale fighter jets seen in full force off Goa coast with host of naval assets of both their countries.The edition started with the arrival of 4 French naval ships at Goa which included aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, 2 destroyers Chevalier Paul, Jean de Vienne,replesnishment tanker Meuse, and maritime petrol aircraft Atlantique 2.
French aircraft is carrying fighter rapheal M, Strike Aircraft Super Etendard,E2C Hawkeye Airborne Warning And Control systems AWACS– a mobile, long range radar surveillance and control centre for airdefense– helicopters Dauphin and Aloutte 3.
India has decided to purchase 36 Rafale fighter aircraft in fly-away condition for Indian Air Force.
From Indians side aircraft carrier INS Viraat, destroyer INS Mumbai,Stealth Frigate INS Tarkash, guided missile frigate INS. Gomati,Replenishment tanker INS Deepak, Submarine INS Shankul and few others are taking part.
INS Mumbai and INS Tarkash had come back from Yemen after completing their evacuation works there.
Indian Navy and French Navy have been conducting Naval exercises since 1983 itself. After strategic partnership in 1998 the exercises are named as ”VARUNA” in 2001. Upto now 13 such exercises have been conducted and the last was conducted in Mediterranean sea in France in July 2012.
ABOUT INDIAN NAVY
- Its the naval branch of armed force of india.
- President of India is the Commander-in-Chief.
- The headquarters is situated in New Delhi.
- CNS or Chief of Naval Staff commands the navy.
- The current CNS is Admiral RK.Dhowan.
