Indian Navy's P-8I Aircraft Marks First-Ever Deployment In Europe, Lands In France For Bilateral Exercise

In its first-ever European deployment, the Indian Navy’s P-8I aircraft touched down in France to take part in the ‘Varuna’ bilateral exercise with the French Navy. This comes 63 years after the Alizé aircraft, operating from the erstwhile INS Vikrant, last flew at the Hyères airbase.

According to an official statement by the Indian Navy, the P-8I aircraft landed at the Airbase 125 Istres-Le Tubé in France, marking its first-ever deployment in Europe. The aircraft will be a part of ‘Exercise Varuna’ with the French Navy, it said.

The INS Tabar, which earlier arrived in Toulon, will also be taking part in the bilateral military exercise. The navy said the 2024 edition of the bilateral naval exercise ‘Varuna’ between the two countries is scheduled from September 2 to 4 in the Mediterranean Sea. It will include advanced tactical exercises underscoring the deepening synergy and interoperability between the two navies, it said.

“Soaring High in Indo-French Cooperation! Indian Navy’s P-8I aircraft touched down at Air Base 125 Istres-Le Tubé, marking its first-ever deployment in Europe for the 22nd edition of Exercise Varuna with the French Navy. This deployment comes 63 years after the Indian Naval Alizé aircraft, operating from INS Vikrant, last flew at Hyères Airbase. This advanced tactical exercise underscores the deepening synergy & mutual respect b/n our navies,” the navy said in a post on social media platform X.

While the bilateral naval exercise was initiated in 1993, it was christened ‘Varuna’ in 2001 and has become a hallmark of Indo-French strategic bilateral ties. Over the years, the military exercise has grown in scope and complexity, while providing an opportunity to exchange and learn from the best practices followed by both the navies.