An Indian Navy P8i Poseidon aircraft, which had landed in France at the Air Base 125 Istres-Le Tube in a first-ever such deployment by India in Europe, is about to conclude the ‘Exercise Varuna’ of the 2024 edition on Wednesday.
The primary agenda of the deployment is to participate in the joint naval exercise ‘Varuna’ in which France is also participating.
“A P8i aircraft of the Indian Navy has reached France to participate in a joint naval exercise with the French Navy,” a senior navy official said.
The Indo-French bilateral naval ‘Exercise Varuna’ of the 2024 edition is scheduled from September 2 to September 4 in the Mediterranean Sea.
“The drill will deepen the synergy and interoperability between the two navies which will include advanced tactical exercises,” a spokesperson of the Indian Navy said in a statement.
“This deployment comes 63 years after the Indian Navy’s Alize aircraft, operating from the erstwhile INS Vikrant, last flew at Hyeres Airbase,” the spokesperson added.
INS Tabar, which had earlier arrived in Toulon will also be participating in the exercise.
The P-8 Poseidon is a maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft developed and produced by United States’ Boeing Defense. It is derived from the civilian Boeing 737-800 airliner. The P8i is a variant of the P-8 Poseidon specially designed for the Indian Navy.
The Varuna Naval Exercise is a bilateral maritime drill between the Indian and French navies.
The drill usually sees participation of guided missile frigates, tanker, Maritime Patrol Aircraft and integral helicopters from the two sides.
Follow us
