Seventh in a series of joint exercises, Indian and French navies are fielding an awesome array of naval weaponry to achieve better compatibility, improve communication, and testing dissimilar equipment.

India is using its aircraft carrier INS Viraat, guided-missile destroyers Mumbai and Gomati, tanker Aditya, submarine Shankul, and will fly Jaguar maritime fighters.

France will be fielding its aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and will fly its Mirage replacement Rafale and Modernized Super Etendards (MSE).

The exercises will include a competitive aspect where the Rafale will compete with the Jaguar and try out dissimilar operations such as air combat, fleet air defense, intermediate and advanced anti-submarine warfare and maritime interdiction. They will also try out air-to-ground bombings.

Held about 100 nautical miles off Goa, this is the 7^th in a series of joint operations between the two nations.