PrepMaticCurrent affairs · September 2026
INS Trishul takes part in the 24th edition of Exercise Varuna
Indian Naval Ship Trishul arrived at Toulon, France, on 22 September 2026 to take part in the 24th edition of Exercise Varuna, the annual bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and the French Navy. The Navy announced the arrival on 24 September and reported on the exercise on 1 October.
Key facts
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Exercise | Varuna, India-France bilateral maritime exercise |
| Edition | 24th |
| Indian ship | INS Trishul |
| Port | Toulon, France |
| Arrival | 22 September 2026 |
Harbour phase and sea phase
In the harbour phase the ship's crew held professional, sporting and cultural engagements, cross-deck visits and exchanges of operational experience. The Commanding Officer called on a senior French Navy commander, and the crew laid a wreath at the Mazargues War Memorial in Marseille in memory of 205 Indian soldiers who died in the World Wars. The crew also visited the French ships Charles de Gaulle, Forbin and La Fayette.
During the sea phase INS Trishul exercised with French units, including Forbin, La Fayette and Suffren, along with NH90 helicopters and Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft. The drills included anti-submarine and anti-surface exercises, live firing and cross-deck helicopter landings, all aimed at better interoperability.
Why it matters for exams
Naval exercises with partner navies are a regular source of defence current affairs in TNPSC and of general awareness in banking exams. Remember that Varuna is the naval exercise with France, while the air-force exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 involves several countries. The TNPSC current affairs guide explains how to keep an exercise tracker.
Practice questions
Question 1
Exercise Varuna is a bilateral naval exercise between India and which country?
- A. United States
- B. France
- C. Japan
- D. Australia
Question 2
Which Indian naval ship participated in the 24th edition of Varuna at Toulon?
- A. INS Kulish
- B. INS Mysore
- C. INS Trishul
- D. INS Sahyadri
Answers
- B. Varuna is the India-France maritime exercise.
- C. INS Trishul arrived at Toulon on 22 September 2026 for the 24th edition.
Source
INS Trishul arrives at Toulon, France for the 24th edition of bilateral maritime exercise Varuna (PIB, Ministry of Defence, 24 September 2026) and INS Trishul participates in 24th edition of India-France bilateral maritime exercise Varuna (PIB, Ministry of Defence, 1 October 2026).
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