Indian, French navies in biggest ever exercise off Goa

[Flagg]

Indian, French navies exercise off Goa

Indian, French navies in biggest ever exercise off Goa

BOMBAY, April 6 (AFP) - The Indian and French navies will hold their biggest ever joint exercise off the coast of Goa starting Tuesday, a French consulate statement said.

"Varuna 2004" will cover the entire spectrum of naval exercises such as anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare and air combat.

It will begin with the French fleet moving out of the Arabic-Persian Gulf to be met by the Indian fleet, and the two will combine in a wide range of wargames off the western state of Goa until April 15.

It represents the culmination of a series of Indo-French naval exercises initiated in 1998.

"It will enable our two navies which are of comparable sizes to undergo a sophisticated training and operate together," the statement said.

"Varuna 2004 will be unique by the number of aircraft and vessels involved by both the nations. An equal number of six vessels each will participate and will be placed alternately under French and Indian command."


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