🍃Indian stealth frigate INS Tarkash conducted a maritime partnership exercise (MPX) with French warships in the North Atlantic Ocean last week, Indian Navy officials said on Monday.
🌟INS Tarkash is on a long-range overseas deployment. The ship was engaged in a maritime partnership exercise with French naval ships on July 29 and 30.
♛The officials said INS Tarkash carried out various drills with French fleet tanker FS Somme, followed by joint air operations with maritime surveillance aircraft Falcon 50.
♍"The successful conduct of these surface and aerial exercises symbolises the high degree of professionalism and interoperability that exists between the two navies," said one of the officials.
♉The maritime cooperation between India and France has witnessed a major expansion in the last few years. In March, the Indian and French navies carried out a five-day mega wargame in the Arabian Sea, involving frontline ships, submarines, maritime patrol aircraft, fighter aircraft and helicopters.
💖The two navies had carried out a mega wargame in the Arabian Sea in April last year as well. The French Navy had deployed its nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and its entire carrier strike group in that exercise, reflecting the growing congruence in naval ties.
(With PTI inputs)
