The 24th edition of the annual exercise was held from September 22 to 28, a senior official said on Thursday.
INS Trishul is the second ship of the Talwar-class stealth frigates and was commissioned into the Indian Navy in June 2003. It has a displacement of 4,000 tonnes, a length of 125 m and is capable of speed up to 30 knots.
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“The visit of INS Trishul to Toulon in France reaffirms the strong and enduring maritime partnership between India and France and the commitment of both navies to strengthening maritime engagement, interoperability and professional exchanges,” the Indian defence ministry said.
On its arrival on September 22, the ship received a warm welcome from the French Navy with a ceremonial water cannon salute.
The harbour phase comprised professional, sporting and cultural engagements aimed at strengthening maritime ties and professional bonds between the two navies.Read more: Kenya-India relations: INS Talwar docks in Mombasa; aims to strengthen ties, further collaboration between navies
“The commanding officer, INS Trishul, called on Rear Admiral Mackara Ouk, Deputy Commander-in-Chief for Operations (CECMED), and interacted with senior leadership of the French Navy,” the ministry said.
The commanding officer, other officers and crew laid a wreath at the Mazargues War Memorial, Marseille, in remembrance of 205 Indian soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice during the World Wars, it said in a statement.
Professional engagements included cross-deck visits and exchange of operational experiences, contributing to enhanced interoperability between the two navies.
INS Trishul also hosted a cultural interaction onboard, attended by Vice Admiral Laurent Isnard (retd), Deputy Mayor of Toulon, officers of the French Navy and civil dignitaries. A friendly volleyball match further fostered camaraderie between personnel of the two navies, it said.
The ship’s crew also visited the French Navy’s ships Charles de Gaulle, Forbin and La Fayette, gaining insights into carrier operations, aviation facilities and practices followed onboard.
During the sea phase, INS Trishul exercised alongside French Navy units, including FDA Forbin, FLF La Fayette and SNA Suffren, as well as NH90 helicopters and Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft, the ministry said.
“Anti-submarine, anti-surface and live-firing exercises, along with cross-deck helicopter landing serials, enhanced operational coordination, interoperability and synergy between the two navies,” it said.
The Navy had earlier said that INS Trishul is capable of operating Kamov 31 Airborne Early Warning, Kamov 28 Anti-Submarine Warfare and Chetak helicopters. This enables the ship to perform a wide variety of roles including coastal and offshore patrolling, monitoring of sea lines of communication, maritime diplomacy, counter-terrorism and anti-piracy operations.
‘Trishul’ has been named after the ferocious weapon used by Lord Shiva. The crest design depicts a strong arm rising out from the sea, holding the powerful trident on a red background.
