EXERCISE VARUNA 2024 (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: Indian Navy’s P-8I aircraft is participating alongside French naval forces in Exercise Varuna 2024.

Exercise Varuna 2024

• About: Exercise Varuna is the bilateral naval exercise between India and France.
• Initiation Year: The bilateral exercise between the two navies was initiated in 1993.
• Naming and Significance: It was named ‘VARUNA’ in 2001 and has become a hallmark of India-France strategic bilateral relationship.
• 2024 Edition Location: Mediterranean Sea.
• Advanced Tactical Exercises: It includes advanced tactical exercises underscoring the deepening synergy and interoperability between the two navies.
• P-8I Aircraft Role: The Indian Navy's P-8I aircraft, renowned for its maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare capabilities, will play a pivotal role in these exercises and joins the INS Tabar.

o The P-8I is a long-range, multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft manufactured by Boeing for the Indian Navy.

o Fleet Replacement: It replaced the aging fleet of the Indian Navy’s Tupolev Tu-142 aircraft.

• Joint Operations: The P-8I’s participation in Exercise Varuna reflects the growing sophistication and complexity of the joint operations between the Indian and French navies.
• Types of Exercises: It  featured high-tempo naval operations including advanced air defence, anti-submarine warfare exercises, fixed and rotary-wing flying operations, cross-deck helicopter landings, tactical manoeuvres, weapon firings, and maritime security operations.
• Integration and Capability: Units from both navies honed their warfighting skills, demonstrating their ability to function as an integrated force capable of promoting peace, security, and stability in the maritime domain.