INS Trishul Participates in 24th Edition of India-France Ex Varuna
Indian Naval Ship Trishul arrived at Toulon, France,
on 22 September 2026 to participate in the 24th edition of Exercise ‘Varuna’,
the annual bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and the French
Navy.
The ship received a warm welcome
from the French Navy with a ceremonial water cannon salute. The harbour phase
comprised professional, sporting and cultural engagements aimed at
strengthening maritime ties and professional bonds between the two navies. The
Commanding Officer, INS Trishul, called on RAdm Mackara Ouk, Deputy
Commander-in-Chief for Operations (CECMED), and interacted with senior
leadership of the French Navy.
The Commanding Officer, officers
and crew laid wreath at the Mazargues War Memorial, Marseille, in remembrance
of 205 Indian soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice during the World Wars.
Professional engagements included cross-deck visits and exchange of operational
experiences, contributing to enhanced interoperability between the two navies.
INS Trishul also hosted a
cultural interaction onboard, attended by VAdm (Retd) Laurent Isnard, Deputy
Mayor of Toulon, officers of the French Navy and civil dignitaries. A friendly
volleyball match further fostered camaraderie between personnel of the two
navies. The ship’s crew also visited French Navy ships Charles de Gaulle,
Forbin and La Fayette, gaining insights into carrier operations,
aviation facilities and practices followed onboard.
During the Sea Phase, INS Trishul
exercised alongside French Navy units, including FDA Forbin, FLF La Fayette
and SNA Suffren, as well as NH90 helicopters and Atlantique 2 maritime
patrol aircraft. Anti-submarine, anti-surface and live-firing exercises, along
with cross-deck helicopter landing serials, enhanced operational coordination,
interoperability and synergy between the two navies.
The visit of INS Trishul to
Toulon reaffirms the strong and enduring maritime partnership between India and
France and the commitment of both navies to strengthening maritime engagement,
interoperability and professional exchanges.
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