Context
INS Trishul reached Toulon, France, to participate in the 24th edition of Exercise Varuna.
About Exercise Varuna
- Varuna is a bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and French Navy.
- It includes harbour and sea-based activities, such as:
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- Cross-deck visits
- Operational interactions
- Sporting engagements
- The exercise facilitates the exchange of operational experience and best practices and strengthens interoperability, enabling the two navies to work more effectively together.
Other India–France Military Exercises
- FRINJEX – Joint exercise between the Indian and French Armies.
- GARUDA – Joint exercise between the Indian and French Air Forces.
INS Trishul
- INS Trishul is a Talwar-class guided-missile frigate of the Indian Navy, inducted in 2003.
- It is equipped for multi-dimensional maritime operations.
- Displacement: 3,700 tonnes.
- Maximum speed: More than 30 knots.
- Endurance: 30 days at sea.
- It incorporates an eight-cell KBSM 3S-14NE Vertical Launcher.
- It was the first Indian warship to deploy the BrahMos PJ-10 supersonic cruise missile, jointly designed by India and Russia.
Conclusion
Exercise Varuna reflects the continuing maritime cooperation between India and France, with naval engagements focused on operational coordination, experience-sharing and interoperability.
FAQs
Q1. What is Exercise Varuna?
Varuna is a bilateral maritime exercise conducted by the Indian Navy and French Navy.
Q2. Which Indian naval ship participated in the latest edition?
INS Trishul, a Talwar-class guided-missile frigate, reached Toulon, France for the exercise.
Q3. What are the major activities under Varuna?
The exercise includes harbour and sea-based engagements, cross-deck visits, operational interactions and sporting activities.
Q4. What are FRINJEX and GARUDA?
FRINJEX is an India–France Army exercise, while GARUDA is an India–France Air Force exercise.
Q5. When was INS Trishul inducted into the Indian Navy?
INS Trishul was inducted in 2003.
Q6. What is notable about INS Trishul’s missile capability?
It was the first Indian warship to deploy the BrahMos PJ-10, a supersonic cruise missile jointly designed by India and Russia.
