Archive · 2 Oct 2026
INS Trishul Joins India-France Varuna Naval Exercise in France
INS Trishul is an Indian Navy ship that visited France for a naval exercise called Varuna.
The exercise took place from September 22 to 28.
Indian and French sailors practiced working together at sea.
They trained to find submarines, engage surface targets and conduct live-firing exercises.
Helicopters also practiced landing on ships.
The sailors met senior French naval officers and took part in cultural and sporting activities.
They remembered 205 Indian soldiers at a war memorial in Marseille.
The crew also visited several French naval ships to learn about carrier operations.
The exercise was meant to improve friendship and cooperation between the two navies.
INS Trishul participated in the 24th Varuna naval exercise in France from September 22 to 28.
The exercise aimed to strengthen maritime ties, operational coordination, interoperability and professional exchanges between India and France.
The harbour phase included official meetings, cross-deck visits, cultural events, sports and a wreath-laying ceremony for 205 Indian soldiers in Marseille.
The sea phase featured anti-submarine, anti-surface and live-firing drills with French ships, NH90 helicopters and Atlantique 2 aircraft.
The Indian crew visited Charles de Gaulle, Forbin and La Fayette to learn about carrier operations and aviation facilities.
- Who
- The Indian Navy’s INS Trishul and French Navy units participated.
- What
- They took part in the 24th edition of the bilateral Varuna naval exercise.
- When
- The exercise was held from September 22 to 28; the reports were published on October 1.
- Where
- The exercise took place in and around Toulon, France, with a memorial visit in Marseille.
- Why
- It aimed to strengthen maritime ties, operational coordination, interoperability and professional exchanges between India and France.
- Exercise
- Varuna, an annual bilateral naval exercise between India and France
- Edition
- 24th edition
- Dates
- September 22-28
- Indian vessel
- INS Trishul, the second Talwar-class stealth frigate
- French participants
- Forbin, La Fayette, Suffren, NH90 helicopters and Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft
- Training activities
- Anti-submarine, anti-surface, live-firing and cross-deck helicopter-landing exercises
- Memorial tribute
- A wreath was laid for 205 Indian soldiers at Marseille’s Mazargues War Memorial
