The Indian Navy’s P-8I aircraft is participating in the 22nd edition of Exercise Varuna with the French Navy being held in France.
- It is P-8I aircraft’s first-ever deployment in Europe. This deployment comes 63 years after the Indian Navy’s Alize aircraft, operating from the erstwhile INS Vikrant, last flew at Hyeres Airbase in France.
- The India-France bilateral naval Exercise Varuna is being conducted in the Mediterranean Sea from September 2-4.
- The exercise will include advanced tactical exercises underscoring the deepening synergy and interoperability between the navies of India and France.
- The Indian and French Navy bilateral naval exercise was initiated in 1993. It was later christened as ‘Varuna’ in 2001 and has since become a hallmark of the robust India-France strategic bilateral relationship.
