French, Indian Navies Team Up For Surveillance Exercise In Mozambique Channel

The Indian and French navies have just conducted a joint surveillance exercise in the Mozambique Channel, reports Defence Web (South Africa).

On Nov. 8, an Indian navy P-8I maritime patrol aircraft arrived in Reunion, a French Indian Ocean territory, for the drills.

During the exercise from Nov. 9-11, the P-8I and a French navy Falcon 50 conducted surveillance operations in Reunion’s exclusive economic zone.

The deployment would enhance maritime domain awareness, security and safety in the southern Indian Ocean, said the Indian navy.

The operation also targeted piracy, drug-trafficking and arms-smuggling.

France and India previously conducted a similar mission in May.