What is VARUNA?
VARUNA is the joint naval exercise between the Naval force of India and France. It is the annual exercise aimed to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation.
History of VARUNA
Since May 1993, the powerful and mighty navies of India and France conduct a joint bilateral naval exercise. Since 2001, the Indo-France naval exercises have been named as Varuna. Till now, there have been a total of fifteen editions of this joint exercise.
Scope of VARUNA
- During the Indo-French Naval Exercise, both the countries will actively explore additional measures to facilitate operational level interactions between their respective armed forces.
- The joint naval exercise will provide an opportunity to both Navies to increase interoperability and learn from each other’s best practices.
VARUNA 2018
VARUNA-18 would be conducted in three sea areas, namely, the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and South Western Indian Ocean. The first phase is being conducted in the Arabian Sea and it will conclude on March 24, 2018. The remaining two phases will be carried out off Chennai and La Reunion Island in April and May this year, respectively. The annual joint naval exercise will include anti-submarine, air defence and asymmetric engagement exercises.
In 2017, VARUNA was conducted in three sea areas in the European waters.
Participation from India and France for VARUNA 2018
- France has brought its nuclear attack submarine FS Perle and the anti-submarine warfare frigate Jean de Vienne for the exercises.
- The Indian Naval participation will include the destroyer Mumbai, frigate Trikand with their integral helicopters, IN submarine Kalvari, P8-I and Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft, as well as the Mig 29K fighter aircraft.
Additional Info for D2G’s Followers
- Nirmala Sitharaman is the second woman defence minister after Indira Gandhi.
- A ballistic missile submarine is a submarine capable of deploying submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) with nuclear warheads. INS Arihant (S73) is one of such types.
INS Kalvari :
- INS Kalvari was designed by DCNS (French naval defence and energy company) and was manufactured at Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai.
- Kalvari is the Malayalam word for tiger shark, a deep-sea predator in the Indian Ocean.
- The ship’s motto is “Ever Onward” which represents the submarine’s zeal and indomitable spirit.
- Kalvari was built indigenously under a venture called Project 7.
- Kalvari can carry 18 torpedoes and travel 1,020km underwater. The 66-metre submarine can dive up to a depth of 300 metres to elude enemy detection.
- Kalvari has superior stealth and the ability to launch crippling attacks on the enemy with precision-guided weapons.
- The Kalvari was built with a special kind of high-tensile steel that is capable of withstanding high yield stress.
- Kalvari was commissioned by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 14 December 2017 at Mazagon Dock Limited.
Test For Your Brain – Try to Answer Correctly
Who was the first defence minister of independent India?
