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French nuclear-powered carrier to figure in joint exercise with India

PLA Daily 2004-02-16

NEW DELHI, Feb. 14 (Xinhuanet) -- Intending to raise its militaryengagement with India, France will field its nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle, and a SNA-type nuclear submarine in the next round of joint naval exercise, the HindustanTimes reported Saturday.

The 38,000-ton Charles de Gaulle, with Rafale M fighter and E-20 early warning aircraft on board and the accompanying naval taskforce, will steam into the Indian Ocean region in April.

The joint exercise, code named the Varuna series, will take place off the coast of Goa, south India, sources at the naval headquarters were quoted as saying.

"The two sides will raise the level of manoeuvres in anti-submarine warfare and anti-air warfare over what was practised on previous occasions," a naval officer said.

This is the first time that France will field nuclear-powered vessels in exercises with India.