NEW DELHI, April 5: India and France are to begin their biggest ever aero-naval exercise in the Arabian Sea on Tuesday, it was officially announced on Monday.

The 10-day war-games will conclude a series of Indo-French naval exercises which have been on since in 1998. Code-named Varuna 2004, the exercise will begin with the French fleet moving out of the Gulf, to be met by the Indian fleet.

"The French and Indian navies will confront or combine forces in a wide range of naval war-games up to Goa till 15th April," the French embassy said in a statement. The fact that the French embassy and not the Indian government announced the war-games could be significant.

Diplomatic sources say India's plan to sign the $2 billion deal to construct at least six French "Scorpene" submarines may have run into trouble due to the coming general election.

After Russia and Israel, France is the largest arms supplier to India, with ventures in different fields ranging from upgrading of radars to modernization of military helicopters. France also wants to sell its advanced Mirage-2000-V fighter jets to India and has promised technology transfer along with the deal.

India already has around 40 Mirage-2000 fly-by-wire jets, which constitute two squadrons, with another 10 jets as "reserves." The Mirage-2000-V being offered is the latest version with much superior avionics and radars.

The long-term plan of Indian Air Force is believed to be for six more Mirage-2000 squadrons. Varuna 2004 will be unique by the number of aircraft and vessels involved by both nations. An equal number of vessels - six each - will participate and will be placed alternately under French and Indian command.

A huge aero-naval group will represent the French task force. The 40,000-ton nuclear powered aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle, which can carry up to 40 aircraft and is equipped with the anti-missile system Aster, will be fitted with anti-air mission Rafale aircraft, Super Etendard aircraft for land strikes, early warning aircraft Hawkeye E-2C, helicopters Puma and Dauphin. The French fleet will also include a destroyer for anti-submarine warfare - Montcalm.