Indian Naval Ship (INS) Trishul, a frontline guided-missile stealth frigate of the Indian Navy, has arrived in Valencia, Spain, as part of its ongoing operational deployment across the Mediterranean, Atlantic and adjoining maritime regions.
The warship reached Valencia on September 30 and is scheduled to undertake a series of professional exchanges, cross-deck visits, sporting events and cultural engagements with the Spanish Navy. The activities are aimed at promoting the exchange of operational expertise, strengthening professional ties and enhancing mutual understanding between the two navies.
The Valencia port call forms part of the Indian Navy’s broader maritime outreach with friendly countries and partner navies. It reflects India’s continued efforts to expand naval cooperation, strengthen maritime partnerships and support a rules-based maritime environment.
INS Trishul Participates in Exercise Varuna
The visit to Spain follows INS Trishul’s participation in the 24th edition of Exercise Varuna, the flagship bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and French Navy, held at Toulon, France.
INS Trishul arrived in Toulon on September 22 for the exercise. The harbour phase included professional interactions, sporting activities and cultural engagements involving personnel from both navies.
During the visit, the ship’s Commanding Officer met Rear Admiral Mackara Ouk, Deputy Commander-in-Chief for Operations (CECMED), along with senior French Navy officials to discuss areas of mutual operational interest.
The Commanding Officer, officers and crew of INS Trishul also visited the Mazargues War Memorial in Marseille to pay tribute to 205 Indian soldiers who lost their lives during the World Wars.
Professional exchanges during the harbour phase included cross-deck visits and operational knowledge-sharing sessions. Indian Navy personnel visited French naval platforms including the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and frigates Forbin and La Fayette, gaining insights into carrier operations, aviation facilities and shipboard procedures.
INS Trishul also hosted a cultural programme attended by Vice Admiral (Retd) Laurent Isnard, Deputy Mayor of Toulon, French Navy personnel and civilian dignitaries. A friendly volleyball match between sailors from the two navies further strengthened camaraderie and people-to-people connections.
Strengthening India-France Naval Interoperability
During the sea phase of Exercise Varuna, INS Trishul operated alongside French Navy assets, including the Forbin air-defense destroyer, La Fayette-class frigate La Fayette and Suffren-class nuclear-powered attack submarine Suffren. NH90 helicopters and Atlantique-2 maritime patrol aircraft also participated in the exercise.
The operational drills covered anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, live-firing exercises and cross-deck helicopter landing operations. These activities were designed to enhance interoperability, coordination and tactical cooperation between the two navies.
Over the years, India and France have strengthened their naval partnership through Exercise Varuna, which has developed into a significant bilateral maritime engagement spanning the Indo-Pacific and European maritime regions. The exercise provides both navies with opportunities to refine joint operating procedures and improve preparedness for diverse maritime security challenges.
INS Trishul’s ongoing deployment across the Mediterranean and Atlantic highlights the Indian Navy’s focus on operational readiness, sustained overseas presence, maritime diplomacy and stronger defense partnerships.
The Valencia port call is expected to further deepen India’s naval engagement with Spain and other partner nations while supporting regional maritime security, stability and cooperative maritime operations.
