India, France hold joint naval exercises off Goa coast
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
New Delhi, April 3, IRNA
India-France-Naval Exercises
The second phase of the Joint Indo-French naval exercise Varuna VI began on the coast of Goa.
Aircraft carriers, destroyers and submarines of India and France, supported by their air forces, undertook began week-long joint exercises off the Goa coast Sunday to tone up inter-operability and make them ready in the event of integrated operations, media reports said here.
The opening day of the exercises Varuna II saw India's Sea Harrier combat aircraft landing for the first time on Charles de Gaulle, the nuclear-powered French aircraft carrier participating in the war games for the first time.
As two Sea Harriers, having the unique capability of vertical takeoff and landing, landed on Charles de Gaulle after starting from Indian aircraft carrier INS Viraat a few kilometers away, the French ship became only the second foreign aircraft carrier after the US One on which the Indian fighters have landed.
Another highlight of the eighth joint exercise is that for the first time, aircraft carriers of both the countries are participating for the first time.
The two navies have been conducting the joint exercises since 2001.
A total of ten ships, two submarines, 60 aircraft and 5,000 sailors and air crew are taking part in the exercise.
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