New Dehi, Oct 2. Indian Naval Ship Trishul participated in the 24th edition of Exercise Varuna, the annual bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian and French navies, strengthening operational interoperability and professional ties between the two maritime forces.
INS Trishul arrived at Toulon, France, on September 22 for the exercise and was accorded a ceremonial water-cannon salute by the French Navy. The harbour phase featured a series of professional, sporting and cultural engagements designed to deepen institutional and personal bonds between personnel of the two navies.
The Commanding Officer of INS Trishul called on Rear Admiral Mackara Ouk, Deputy Commander-in-Chief for Operations (CECMED), and held discussions with senior French naval leadership.
As part of the visit, the commanding officer, officers and crew of Trishul laid a wreath at the Mazargues War Memorial in Marseille in honour of 205 Indian soldiers who died during the World Wars.
Professional interactions during the harbour phase included cross-deck visits and exchanges on operational experiences, providing personnel from both navies an opportunity to familiarise themselves with each other’s procedures and practices.
INS Trishul also hosted a cultural interaction onboard that was attended by Vice Admiral (Retd) Laurent Isnard, Deputy Mayor of Toulon, French naval officers and civil dignitaries. A friendly volleyball match between personnel of the two navies added a sporting dimension to the engagements and helped strengthen camaraderie.
The Indian naval crew also visited French Navy ships Charles de Gaulle, Forbin and La Fayette. The visits provided an opportunity to gain insights into aircraft-carrier operations, aviation facilities and operational practices followed onboard French naval vessels.
The sea phase saw INS Trishul operate alongside French naval units, including the air-defence frigate Forbin, the light stealth frigate La Fayette and the nuclear-powered attack submarine Suffren. NH90 naval helicopters and Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft also participated in the exercise.
The two navies conducted a range of complex maritime activities, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and live-firing drills. Cross-deck helicopter landing operations were also undertaken as part of the exercise.
The activities were aimed at improving coordination at sea, enhancing interoperability and developing greater synergy in joint maritime operations.
Exercise Varuna has emerged as a key component of the India-France strategic maritime partnership, providing the two navies with an opportunity to train together across a range of operational scenarios and exchange professional expertise.
The latest edition underscored the continued commitment of India and France to expanding maritime cooperation and strengthening interoperability through regular operational engagements and exchanges between their naval forces.
