23rd Exercise Varuna 2025 | 20 Mar 2025

Source: HT 

The Indian and French navies are set to commence the 23rd edition of the annual bilateral naval exercise, Varuna-2025, in the Arabian Sea. 

• It will include aircraft carriers INS Vikrant (India) and Charles de Gaulle (France), along with fighter aircraft, destroyers, frigates, and an Indian Scorpene-class submarine. 
• It was first held in 2001 and aims to enhance interoperability and operational synergy. 
• Defence Cooperation: India and France strengthened military ties with a new defence  industrial roadmap for co-design, co-development, and co-production of defense equipment. 
• Upcoming Defence Deals: 26 Rafale-M fighter jets for INS Vikrant. 
  • 3 additional Scorpene-class submarines to be built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) under Project 75. 
• MDL has already built six Kalvari-class (Scorpene) submarines with French technology transfer.