India and France begin naval drills in Arabian Sea

The Indian and French navies will start joint naval exercises called Varuna-2025 in the Arabian Sea on Wednesday. This exercise will include several naval platforms, such as aircraft carriers and submarines. The Indian Navy stated that this year's drills feature the aircraft carriers Vikrant from India and Charles de Gaulle from France, along with their respective fighter jets, destroyers, and frigates. This is the 23rd Varuna exercise, which began in 2001. It has grown in complexity and has become an important part of the partnership between the two countries. The exercises will focus on enhancing naval cooperation and operational abilities. Varuna-2025 will include advanced air defence drills and fighter exercises, including mock air-to-air combat between the French Rafale-M jets and Indian MiG-29K aircraft. It will also include anti-submarine warfare practice and surface warfare exercises to improve joint operations between the fleets. The participating maritime patrol aircraft will help with situational awareness, and replenishment-at-sea exercises will boost logistics cooperation. The goal is to strengthen the ability of both nations to work together effectively in challenging maritime situations. In addition to the exercises, India and France are actively deepening their military collaboration. They have agreed on a new roadmap for defence industrial cooperation, which will allow them to partner in areas like co-designing and co-producing military equipment. India plans to sign two significant contracts with France for 26 new Rafale-M jets and three more Scorpene-class submarines, enhancing its naval capabilities in the Indian Ocean region. These moves come in response to increasing challenges, particularly from China.