Russian Navy has sent its front-line warships Varyag, Admiral Panteleyev and Boris Butoma to Indian naval port Visakhapatnam in eastern coast of Southern India to participate in INDRA Navy 2018.
The 10th edition of bilateral naval exercise INDRA NAVY will be conducted off Visakhapatnam port from 9 to 16 December 2018.
Indian Navy said: “The primary aim of the exercise is to increase inter-operability amongst the two navies, develop common understanding and procedures for maritime security operations.”
Initiated in 2003, INDRA NAVY exercise has matured over the years with increase in scope, complexity and level of participation.
This edition of the exercise would be held in two phases. The four day harbour phase would is being conducted at Visakhapatnam from 9 December. It would encompass planning conferences, professional interactions, cultural visits, sports fixtures and formal calls between Flag Officers/ Senior Officers of participating navies.
Russian and Indian Navy Personnel at Vishakhapattanam port.
The four day sea phase begins from 13 December and it would be conducted in the Bay of Bengal.
“The thrust of exercises at sea would be on Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW), Air Defence drills, Surface Firings, Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations and tactical procedures,” said Indian Navy.
Indian Naval Ships INS Ranvir, a guided missile destroyer, INS Satpura, an indigenous frigate, INS Kadmatt, an indigenous anti- submarine warfare (ASW) corvette, IN Ships Kuthar and Khanjar both indigenous missile corvettes and INS Jyoti, a fleet tanker will participate in the exercise.
Besides, one Sindhughosh class submarine, Dornier maritime patrol aircraft, Hawk fighter aircraft and other integral rotary wing helicopters would be taking part in the exercise.
The Indian Navy ships participating in the exercise would be under the Command of Rear Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Fleet.
Ships of the Russian Navy would be under the Command of Rear Admiral Mikhailov Edward Evgenievich, Chief of the Headquarters, Submarine Forces, Pacific Fleet and ships from the Pacific Fleet, based at Vladivostok.
Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chief of the Naval Staff, Indian Navy visited Russia from 26 to 29 November 2018 to consolidate bilateral defence relations and to explore new avenues for defence cooperation.
Russian warship at Vishakhapattanam port.
The Indian Navy interacts with Russian Federation Navy on many fronts, which include operational interactions, training, hydrographic cooperation and exchange of Subject Matter Experts in various fields through the medium of Navy-to-Navy Staff Talks.
Exercise INDRA NAVY-18 would help to further strengthen mutual confidence and inter-operability and also enable sharing of best practices between both the navies.
