New Delhi, Nov 23 (PTI) Indian and French Naval flotilla are carrying out joint exercises in the Gulf of Aden, nearly eight months after such a drill off Kochi coast.
The French Navy has deployed a nuclear submarine, guided missile stealth frigate La Fayette, shore based Atlantique surveillance aircraft and Mirage 2000 fighters for the exercises codenamed Varuna-7 off the French Naval base Djibouti coast.
For the first time, a naval spokesman said, naval commandos and army para-troopers will conduct war manoeuvres with French special forces during the exercises already underway from November 19.
Five warships of the Western Fleet, led by aircraft carrier INS Viraat, a submarine, guided missile destroyer INS Mysore and guided missile frigates INS Talwar and Godavari are taking part in the exercises.
Earlier in March this year, French and Indian Naval warships took part in joint exercises off the Kochi coast in which the French deployed their aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle.
"In the exercises, the thurst will be dissimilar air combat between Sea Harriers and Mirages, air defence exercises and maritime interdiction operations," the spokesman said.
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