Indian and French Navies Strengthen Ties with Joint Maritime Exercise
Indian and French Navies Strengthen Ties with Joint Maritime Exercise
The Indian Navy's INS Mormugao, alongside aircraft from the Indian Air Force, recently engaged in a Maritime Partnership Exercise with the French Carrier Strike Group (CSG) off India's Western Seaboard. This exercise featured complex maritime drills, including joint air operations, highlighting the high level of interoperability and professionalism between the two naval forces.
Earlier this month, French naval ships FS Forbin and FS Alsace, part of the CSG, arrived in Kochi, Kerala. Their visit aims to enhance interoperability, mutual understanding, and foster closer collaboration between the Indian and French navies. During their stay, the Commanding Officers of the French ships held discussions with senior officials at the Southern Naval Command to strengthen defense cooperation.
The visit also includes professional exchanges such as cross-deck visits and Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE), providing valuable learning opportunities. The French ships' visit reaffirms India's commitment to constructive collaboration and mutual growth.
India and France have maintained a strong defense partnership since 1998, marked by joint exercises like Shakti, Varuna, and Garuda. This partnership continues to thrive with operational stopovers, including 16 port calls by French Navy vessels since 2022. Both nations, as resident states of the Indian Ocean, work closely to ensure maritime safety, solidifying their role in maintaining regional security.
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INS Mormugao
INS Mormugao is a ship that belongs to the Indian Navy. It is named after the port city of Mormugao in Goa, India. The ship is used for various naval operations and exercises.
French Carrier Strike Group
A French Carrier Strike Group is a group of ships led by an aircraft carrier from France. It includes other ships and submarines that work together to protect the carrier and complete missions.
Maritime Partnership Exercise
A Maritime Partnership Exercise is a practice session where navies from different countries work together at sea. They practice how to communicate and operate together to improve their skills and cooperation.
Western Seaboard
The Western Seaboard refers to the western coast of India, which is the area along the Arabian Sea. It includes states like Maharashtra, Goa, and Kerala.
FS Forbin and FS Alsace
FS Forbin and FS Alsace are ships from the French Navy. 'FS' stands for 'French Ship,' and these ships are used for defense and naval operations.
Kochi
Kochi is a city in the Indian state of Kerala. It is an important port city on the southwest coast of India and has a significant naval base.
Interoperability
Interoperability means the ability of different systems or organizations to work together. In this context, it refers to how well the Indian and French navies can operate together during exercises.
Defense cooperation
Defense cooperation is when two or more countries work together to improve their military capabilities. This can include joint exercises, sharing technology, and helping each other in defense matters.
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third-largest ocean in the world. It is located to the south of India and is an important area for trade and naval operations.
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