Varuna Exercise

From March 30 to April 3, 2022, the 20th edition of the ‘VARUNA’ Bilateral Naval Exercise here between the Indian Navy and the French Navy will occur in the Arabian Sea. The two Navies were conducting bilateral naval exercises until 1993, and also the exercise was named ‘VARUNA’ in 2001. The Varuna exercise may feature warships, submarines, maritime patrol aircraft, and jet fighters, including helicopters. The Varuna exercises continue to provide opportunities for both navies to acquire from one another’s best practices. The exercise has served as a major stimulant for operational-level exchanges between the two fleets, highlighting all nations’ strong commitment to the security, safety, and independence of marine fish commons.

Varuna 2022 is Now Complete

On April 3, 2022, the 20th iteration of the Indo-French bilateral naval exercise ‘Varuna-2022’ came close. This year’s exercise has a wider view, covering a wide range of naval activities. Enhanced anti-submarine warfare tactics, gunnery shoots, seamanship evolutions, tactical manoeuvres, including significant air operations, were all highlighted during the exciting tactical sea portion of the exercise. Integral helicopters made cross-deck landings on the units, demonstrating their high degree of connectivity. The exercise’s last stage advanced, with a narrow focus on advanced anti-submarine warfare (ASW) drills. Cross visits of troops, cross embarkation of sea riders, and just a closing session was all part of the exercise’s final day (April 3 2022). Onboard the INS Chennai, personnel and operations staff from practices are convened for a thorough debriefing. All evolutions at sea were addressed, with alternatives for future rounds of the exercise being considered. Following the debriefing, the exercise came close with a traditional steam pass between ships by both navies. The INS Chennai sailed close by a column of French warships, with crews wishing each other good winds and following seas again for a long road ahead. Varuna-2022’s behaviour was distinguished by seamless cooperation, accurate manoeuvre execution, and sophisticated anti-submarine warfare exercises.

Simbex Exercise

The Singapore India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) seems to be an annual event in Singapore. SIMBEX began in 1994 as a joint exercise between both the Indian and Singaporean navies. SIMBEX 2021, the 28th iteration of the exercise, took place from September 2 to 4, 2021. The main goal of SIMBEX is to strengthen maritime cooperation between India and Singapore.

Indra Exercise

The 12th Indo-Russian joint military operation INDRA 2021 will occur in Volgograd, Russia, between August 1 and 13. The exercise will involve a joint force undertaking counter-terror activities against foreign terror groups underneath the United Nations (UN) authority. A total of 250 people from both countries will participate in the exercise. The Indian Army force, comprising a Mechanised Infantry Battalion, underwent intensive training at different locations across India in anticipation of the joint exercise.

Significance

Exercise INDRA-21 will help both armies establish mutual trust and interoperability while exchanging best practices. The exercise will be another step forward in strengthening security cooperation between India and Russia and will help to strengthen their lengthy relationship. From October 19 to 29, 2017, Vladivostok hosted the first-ever tri-services exercise, dubbed “INDRA 2017.” The bilateral Russian-Indian naval exercise Indra Navy-2018 took place in the Bay of Bengal from December 13 to 16.

India and Russia held a joint tri-services exercise named Indra exercise 2019 in Babina, Pune, and Goa from the 8th to 19th of December 2019. The exercises, intended to promote the field, marine, including flight skills and coordination across both nations, included members from Indian Armed Forces and also the Russian Federation’s Eastern Command. 

INDRA NAVY was a biennial bilateral military exercise between India and Russia in 2003. The goal is to improve Russian or Indian navies’ cooperation through interoperability. The name INDRA is a combination of the countries represented by the contestants. Live shooting drills, air defence, and anti-submarine operations are also part of the exercise. Anti-piracy, anti-terrorism, and anti-drug smuggling actions are often carried out.

Conclusion

The yearly Varunal exercise, which comprises naval cooperation exercises between the French Navy and the Indian Navy, is an important aspect of France and India’s strategic alliance in the twenty-first century. The exercises are undertaken within the Indian Ocean or even the Mediterranean Sea to enhance Indo-French collaboration on skills such as cross-deck operations, replenishing at sea, minesweeping, anti-submarine warfare, and information exchange. It was founded in 1983 and given its current name in 2001. Ocean through the French Overseas regions of Réunion, Mayotte, and the Scattered Islands in the Indian Ocean, France is now a Littoral State of the Indian Ocean.