India France Second Joint Patrol In Southern Indian Ocean – Free PDF Download

• The navies of India and France concluded their second joint patrolling in the South-Western Indian Ocean last week, while an Australian P-8 maritime patrol aircraft is expected in India next month on a reciprocal visit, underscoring India’s continued focus on expanding maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

• During the five days from May 9 to 13, an Indian Navy P-8I aircraft was deployed from the French island of La Reunion to carry out “joint surveillance and patrolling operations” with the French Navy in the South-Western Indian Ocean.

• Réunion (French: La Réunion) is an island in the Indian Ocean that is an overseas department and region of France.
• It is located approximately 950km east of the island of Madagascar and 175 km southwest of the island of Mauritius.

• Two French Floréal-class surveillance frigates, the Floréal and the Nivôse, took part in the deployment, with focus on anti-smuggling.
• In order to increase the level of interoperability, French sailors were taken onboard the P-8I.

Significance:

• It is the second time that France and India have carried out “joint patrolling” out of La Reunion. This type of operation demonstrates how Indo-French naval cooperation serves as net security provider in the region.”
• In March 2020, India and France had conducted their maiden week-long joint patrols from Reunion Island.

About P-81 Aircraft

• The aircraft is a long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft.
• It is an Indian variant of the P-8A Poseidon aircraft created by Boeing to replace the US Navy’s ageing P-3 fleet.
• The P-8Is detect threats and, if necessary, neutralise them far before they reach Indian coasts, with a maximum speed of 907 kmph and an operating range of nearly 1,200 nautical miles.
• The P-8Is detect threats and, if necessary, neutralise them far before they reach Indian coasts, with a maximum speed of 907 kmph and an operating range of nearly 1,200 nautical miles.
• The P-8I is not just responsible for coastal patrolling but is also used for other critical missions like search-and-rescue, anti-piracy, and supporting operations of other arms of the military.

French focus on Indo-Pacific

• France, which has territory in the Indian Ocean, has articulated its focus on the Indo Pacific.
• The Indian and French navies regularly undertake coordinated operations under the Varuna series of bilateral exercise.
• In March-end this year, India and France co-led the maiden edition of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Maritime Exercise 2022 (IMEX-22) off Goa with the aim of enhancing interoperability in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations among member navies.
  • Under the ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and broader maritime cooperation, the Indian Navy undertakes joint exclusive economic zone (EEZ) surveillance with Maldives, Seychelles and Mauritius and coordinated patrols (CORPATs) with Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand and Indonesia.
• The objectives of the CORPATs are to ensure effective implementation of United Nations Conventions on Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS).
• UNCLOS specifies regulations regarding protection and conservation of natural resources, conservation of marine environment, prevention and suppression of illegal, unregulated fishing activity, drug trafficking, piracy, exchange of information in prevention of smuggling, illegal immigration and conduct of search and rescue operations at sea.

India- France Defence Relations

• India and France determined to further strengthen the cooperation between their armed forces and in this connection are working towards increased interoperability as well as pursuing deliberations to develop joint forces cooperation.
• They welcomed the signing of an agreement regarding the Provision of Reciprocal Logistics Support.
• Defence industrial cooperation has been one of the mainstays of the strategic partnership between India and France.

• An agreement for building six Scorpène submarines in India with French help was signed in 2005.
• The government-to-government agreement for 36 Rafale aircrafts has taken place.

Military exercises between India and France

VARUNA (Navy):

• It is a Bilateral Naval Exercises between the two Navies were initiated in 1993.
• The exercise was christened as ‘VARUNA’ in 2001 and has become a vital part of India – France strategic bilateral relationship.
• Aim: to enhance and hone operational skills in maritime theatre, augment inter-operability to undertake maritime security operations and demonstrate their commitment to promote peace, security and stability in the region as an integrated force.

SHAKTI (Army):

• It is a biennial exercise which is conducted alternately in India and France and started off in 2011.
• The aims of the exercise are:
  • Enhancement of defence understanding
  • Promotion of cooperation between the troops of the armies
  • Improvement and sustainability of interoperability between the Indian and the French armies

Other Exercise:

• Exercise Garuda (Air Force)
• Exercise Pegas
• Exercise Desert Knight (Air Force)

Question:
The “Gulf of Lion” is located between which two countries?

1. France and Spain
2. Greece and Turkey
3. Norway and Sweden
4. France and Sweden

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