French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday said that the French Navy had boarded a Russia-linked oil tanker in the Mediterranean Sea, asserting that France would not tolerate "any violation" of international law.
The clarification came after Pakistani news outlet published an article on November 21 claiming that a French naval commander had said that Indian Rafale jets were shot down during the border skirmishes.
This edition of the Exercise included exercises ranging across multidomain environments. The structured drills were designed to further fine-tune tactical and operational proficiency in complex scenarios.
Two aircraft carriers, 'Charles De Gaulle' from France and India's 'Vikrant' along with destroyers, frigates, Indian scorpene class submarines and a maritime patrol aircraft will be participating in the exercise, according to a post by the Indian Navy.
The exercise involved complex maritime drills, including joint air operations, showcasing the high degree of interoperability and professionalism between the Indian and French naval forces.
The carrier strike group elements including the Rafale Marine fighter aircraft will hold an exercise with Indian Air Force fighter aircraft in the next few days while the warships will hold the 42nd edition of the bilateral Varuna exercise while returning from the Pacific Ocean after a se
With India looking to finalise the Rafale Marine shortly, a top French officer said on Saturday that having the same fighter aircraft will bring two forces together.
Amid a debate on reports about the Chinese sixth-generation fighters, a French Navy officer on Saturday said these planes are a bit of a dream right now as it will take a long time for them to be developed into full-blown fighter aircraft.
This significant maritime exercise took place from September 2 to 4, 2024 in the Mediterranean Sea, following a port visit by INS Tabar to Toulon, France, from August 29 to September 1, 2024, as per an official press release by the Indian Navy.
More than 16,000 members of the AFP and U.S. military will train together this year. Contingents from the Australian Defence Force and, for the first time in Balikatan's history, the French Navy will also join the exercise as participants.
French Navy Chief Admiral Nicolas Vaujour on Friday emphasised that India and France have a strategic partnership and both countries are working closely, especially in the Indian Ocean.