Navy chief in France to explore new avenues of defence cooperation

New Delhi : Indian Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba is in France on an official visit to consolidate cooperation between the armed forces of both India and France and also to explore new avenues of defence cooperation.

During his visit till November 10, Admiral Lanba will hold bilateral discussions with Florence Parly, Defence Minister of France; General Francois Lecointre, Chief of Defence Staff; Admiral Christophe Prazuck, Chief of French Navy; General Joel Barre, Director General Armament; and Vice Admiral Hervede Bonnaventure, Director General International Relations and Strategy.

In-addition to holding important bilateral discussions, the Indian Navy chief will be visiting the Maritime Prefectures at Brest and Cherbourg, and be conducted around the Maritime Operations Centre.

He will also visit the French Airbase at Landivisiau, where he will be briefed on the operational employability of the Rafale aircraft by the French Air Force, and also visit the French Submarine Facility at Cherbourg.

India and France have traditionally maintained close and friendly relations. The two countries established a Strategic Partnership in 1998, thereby significantly enhancing bilateral cooperation in strategic areas such as defence, nuclear energy and space. The defence relationship between the two countries has been one of mutual trust and confidence. India has been importing critical defence technologies from France; the latest being the Rafale fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Forces and the Scorpene submarines for the Indian Navy.

The Indian Navy cooperates with the French Navy on many issues, which include operational interactions such as the VARUNA series of bilateral exercises, training exchanges, exchange of white shipping information and subject matter experts in various fields through the medium of staff talks.

The Indian Army and Air Force also maintain robust cooperation with the French Army and Air Force. The Indian Army conducts the biennial exercise SHAKTI with the French Army, whilst the Indian Air Force conducts the GARUDA series of exercises annually.