India, France naval exercise on in Goa
ON BOARD INS VIRAAT: The eleventh annual bilateral exercise between the Indian and French Navies has begun off Mormugao, with the Harbour Phase of 'Varuna 2010' entering its second day on Saturday.
Though scheduled between January 7 and 14, 2011, the exercise has retained last year's date as it was previously scheduled for December 2010. The Sea Phase of the ongoing exercise is expected to commence on Janu-ary 11.
Addressing reporters onboard the INS Viraat, Rear Admiral R K Pat-tanaik, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet, Indian Navy, said, "The Indian Navy has done such exercises with all the Navies, except the Pakistani Navy. If they are interested in such interoperability activities they will be welcomed."
Explaining the scope of such exercises, he said, "The Varuna exercises include the entire gamut of maritime operations-from aircraft carrier operations to anti-submarine warfare exercises and maritime interdiction op-erations. The understanding and confidence gained through such exercises helps during international antipiracy operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster-relief operations."
Asked what the last 10 exercises between the two Navies have achieved for the Indian Navy, Pattanaik said, "The interoperability is so much friendlier that in times of crisis we won't even have to communicate with regard to operations... both the Navies will be able to function without any problems."
Rear Admiral Jean-Louis Kerignard of the French Navy, on the other hand, said, "The target of these exercises is to achieve freedom of naviga-tion and to see, learn, and transform from each other. This is why in the Second Phase of 'Varuna 2010' sailors of the Indian and French Navies will be mixed."
He added, "Regular Indian Navy-French Navy interactions over the years have allowed both sides to gradually and systematically increase the complexity and professional content."
For this bilateral exercise, 300 officials and 3,000 plus personnel are participating. The French Navy has its newly inducted FNS Forbin Destroyer as part of its Carrier Strike Group, which also includes the aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle, FNS Tourville and supply ship FNS Meuse.