Goa: The French Carrier Strike Group (CSG), led by the aircraft carrier FNS Charles de Gaulle along with its air fleet and escort ships, is currently participating in the Varuna exercise with the Indian Navy from March 19 to 22, 2025.
This annual exercise highlights the longstanding military collaboration between France and India, which has been built on a robust strategic partnership for over 25 years. Varuna is part of a wider array of joint military exercises, which also encompasses land-based (Shakti) and air (Garuda) operations.
The Charles de Gaulle, the flagship of the French Navy, will engage in a series of intricate drills alongside the Indian Navy's INS Vikrant. These exercises aim to improve operational coordination and aero-naval interoperability between the two naval forces, as stated in an official press release from the French Embassy.
The training will focus on preparing crews to address threats across various domains, including aerial, surface, and underwater operations. The involvement of advanced assets from both navies guarantees a high standard of training, enhancing their capability to operate collaboratively in real-world situations, according to the press release.
Since November 2024, France has been deploying its Carrier Strike Group as part of the CLEMENCEAU 25 mission, which is designed to bolster military relations with partners in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Varuna exercise follows earlier joint operations between French and Indian forces this year, which included air and naval drills conducted after French naval visits to Goa and Kochi. With the return of the French CSG to the Indian Ocean, the cooperation between the two nations continues to strengthen.
As a key player in the Indian Ocean, France is dedicated to upholding stability and security in the area. Its military forces are actively involved in promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific, maintaining a consistent presence in the United Arab Emirates (FFEAU) and the Southern Indian Ocean (FAZSOI), according to the press release.
The deployment of the Carrier Strike Group highlights France's strategic emphasis on regional security and its commitment to collaborating with partners to ensure stability in the Indo-Pacific.
