Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba has begun a six-day visit to France to explore new avenues of cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries. <br/><br/>Admiral Lanba will meet French Defence Minister Florence Parly and will hold talks with Chief of Defence Staff General Francois Lecointre and Chief of French Navy Admiral Christophe Prazuck. <br/><br/>The visit aims to consolidate cooperation between the armed forces of both India and France and also to explore new avenues of defence cooperation. <br/><br/>Admiral Lanba, during his visit from 5th to 10th of this month will also visit the French Airbase at Landivisiau where he will be briefed on the operational employability of the Rafale aircraft by the French Air Force.<br/><br/>Admiral Lanba's visit to France comes 10 days after the French Defence Minister visited India during which both sides had decided to expand their military cooperation in the strategically key Indo-Pacific region, besides resolving to further ramp up the overall defence and security ties.