Indian warship INS Tabar was part of a two-day drill with French frigate FNS Aquitaine and four Rafale fighter aircraft of the French Navy in the Bay of Biscay last week, officials said on Monday.
Variety of operations such as anti-submarine and air defence drills, replenishment at sea, and firing were practiced by the ships, officials said.
“INS Tabar, on completion of the port visit Brest, France undertook maritime partnership exercise with FNS Aquitaine, a French naval Frigate in the Bay of Biscay on July 15 and 16. A twin-engine helicopter (NH 90) from FNS Aquitaine and four Rafale fighter aircraft from French Navy also participated in the exercise,” Indian Navy spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal said.
He also said that the drill was mutually beneficial in strengthening interoperability and consolidating combined operations against the maritime threats.
India and France have been exploring ways to strengthen cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, including under a trilateral mechanism with Australia to address emerging challenges in maritime and space domain.
