What is VARUNA Exercise 2023?

About Exercise Varuna:

• It is the bilateral Naval Exercise between India and France.
• This bilateral exercise between the two navies was initiated in 1993.
• It was named ‘VARUNA’ in 2001 and has become a hallmark of India France strategic bilateral relationship.
• The 2024 edition of Indo-French bilateral naval ‘Exercise Varuna’ scheduled in the Mediterranean Sea.
• It includes advanced tactical exercises underscoring the deepening synergy and interoperability between the two navies.
• The Indian Navy's P-8I aircraft, renowned for its maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare capabilities, will play a pivotal role in these exercises and it joins the INS Tabar.
• The P-8I’s participation in Exercise Varuna reflects the growing sophistication and complexity of the joint operations between the Indian and French navies.

Key facts about P-8I aircraft

• P-8I is a long-range, multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft being manufactured by Boeing for the Indian Navy.
• It replaced the aging fleet of the Indian Navy’s Tupolev Tu-142 aircraft.

Q1: What is INS Tabar?

It is the third of the Talwar-class frigates of the Indian Navy. The frigate was commissioned on 19 April 2004 in Kaliningrad, Russia. INS Tabar has the ability to handle air/surface/subsurface missions or defending herself, operating either independently on maritime missions or supporting a larger naval task force.

Source: Indian Navy's P8I on its first-ever deployment in Europe to take part in 'Exercise Varuna'