On Board Charles de Gaulle, April 2
Adding a new chapter in bilateral ties, aircraft carriers, destroyers and submarines of India and France, supported by their air forces, today began a week-long joint exercise, off the Goa coast.
The opening day of the exercises saw India’s Sea Harrier combat aircraft landing for the first time on Charles de Gaulle, the nuclear-powered French aircraft carrier, participating in the war games for the first time.
As two Sea Harriers, having the unique capability of vertical take-off and landing, landed on Charles de Gaulle after starting from Indian aircraft carrier INS Viraat a few kilometres away, the French ship became only the second foreign aircraft carrier after the US one on which the Indian fighters have landed.
Another highlight of the eighth joint exercise is that for the first time, aircraft carriers of both countries are participating for the first time.
“The current exercise is more elaborate than the previous ones. It will see cross-flying for the first time,” Rear Admiral Anup Singh, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet, told reporters.
In the coming days, the two forces would go for most tactical exercises to tone up “inter-operability” between the two marine forces.
“There should be no doubts on account of inter-operability as the two forces have to be ready for any possible joint operations to meet the situations created by disasters, terrorism or piracy,” he said.
— PTI
