Indra Navy: India-Russia maritime exercise underway in Bay of Bengal

The ninth annual bilateral maritime exercise between Indian Navy and Russian Navy – Indra Navy -  is under way in the Bay of Bengal and will continue till 21 December.

Indra Navy aims at increasing inter-operability among the two navies and developing common understanding of maritime security operations. The scope of the exercise includes wide-range professional interactions in harbour and a diverse canvas of operational activities across a spectrum of maritime operations at sea.

Indian Navy has deployed INS Ranvir, a guided missile destroyer, INS Satpura, an indigenous frigate, and INS Kamorta, an indigenous anti-submarine warfare corvette for the exercise. In addition, a naval submarine, P8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft, Dornier Short Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft, Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer and other integral rotary wing helicopters are scheduled to participate in the bilateral exercise.

The Russian Federation Navy (RFN) is being represented by ships from the Pacific Fleet based at Vladivostok. RFN ships Admiral Tributs (cruiser) and Boris Butoma (fleet tanker).

The exercise is in two phases, viz, the Harbour Phase (14 to 18 December 2016) at Visakhapatnam and the Sea Phase (19 to 21 December 2016) off Visakhapatnam. The Harbour Phase encompasses table-top exercises, planning conferences, and professional interactions prior progressing to sea. The thrust of exercises at sea this year would be on ASW, Air Defence Drills, Surface Firings, visit Board Search ans Seizure (VBSS) and Tactical procedures.

Exercise Indra Navy-16 will help to further strengthen mutual confidence and inter-operability, and also enable sharing of best practices between both navies. The exercise will be another milestone in strengthening maritime security cooperation between the two navies and will also serve to reinforce the long standing bond of friendship between the two countries.