<p>The French Navy has its newly inducted FNS Forbin destroyer as a part of its Carrier Strike Group, led by aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle.<br /><br />"This ship (FNS Forbin) is just inducted and this is its first deployment," Rear Admiral Jean Louis Kerignard, Commander of French Maritime Force told PTI.<br /><br />The French strike group also comprises FNS Tourville, supply ship FNS Meuse and nuclear powered submarine FNS Amethyste, besides airborne early warning aircraft E2C Hawkeye.<br />Indian Navy has INS Viraat, indigenous frigates Godavari and Ganga, and one Shishumar class submarine Shalki participating in the exercises, which will end on January 13.<br /><br />"Since 1983 Indian and French navies have been conducting bi-lateral exercises," Rear Admiral R K Patnaik, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet, Indian Navy, said.<br /><br />He said that such joint exercises were in the long-term interests of both the countries.<br />"We are progressing with every phase of the exercise," Patnaik said, adding that around 300 officers and 3,000 sailors from both the sides are participating.<br /><br />Patnaik said that the understanding struck between the two navies during joint exercises helps during international anti-piracy operations and humanitarian assistance missions.<br />He said that the exercises include the entire gamut of maritime operations ranging from aircraft carrier operations, anti-submarine warfare exercises and maritime-interdiction operations.The harbour phase of the joint exercise began yesterday.</p>
<p>The French Navy has its newly inducted FNS Forbin destroyer as a part of its Carrier Strike Group, led by aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle.<br /><br />"This ship (FNS Forbin) is just inducted and this is its first deployment," Rear Admiral Jean Louis Kerignard, Commander of French Maritime Force told PTI.<br /><br />The French strike group also comprises FNS Tourville, supply ship FNS Meuse and nuclear powered submarine FNS Amethyste, besides airborne early warning aircraft E2C Hawkeye.<br />Indian Navy has INS Viraat, indigenous frigates Godavari and Ganga, and one Shishumar class submarine Shalki participating in the exercises, which will end on January 13.<br /><br />"Since 1983 Indian and French navies have been conducting bi-lateral exercises," Rear Admiral R K Patnaik, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet, Indian Navy, said.<br /><br />He said that such joint exercises were in the long-term interests of both the countries.<br />"We are progressing with every phase of the exercise," Patnaik said, adding that around 300 officers and 3,000 sailors from both the sides are participating.<br /><br />Patnaik said that the understanding struck between the two navies during joint exercises helps during international anti-piracy operations and humanitarian assistance missions.<br />He said that the exercises include the entire gamut of maritime operations ranging from aircraft carrier operations, anti-submarine warfare exercises and maritime-interdiction operations.The harbour phase of the joint exercise began yesterday.</p>