India & Russia Maritime Exercise 'INDRA NAVY' begins in Visakhapatnam Coast

India & Russia Maritime Exercise 'INDRA NAVY' begins in Visakhapatnam Coast: Details, Aim, Highlights

The10th edition of 'INDRA NAVY' maritime exercise between India and Russia will be conducted off Visakhapatnam coast, Andhra Pradesh. It is scheduled to be held from 9th December -16th December 2018.

The aim of this 'INDRA NAVY' exercise is to boost interoperability amongst the two navies, develop common understanding and procedures for maritime security operations.

INDRA NAVY 2018 will be held in two phases viz. Harbour Phase and Sea Phase. Harbour Phase will be held at Visakhapatnam and encompass planning conferences, professional interactions, cultural visits, sports fixtures and formal calls between Flag Officers and senior officers of the participating navies.

Sea Phase will be conducted in the Bay of Bengal. Its thrust will be on Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), air defence drills, surface firings, Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations and tactical procedures.

In INDRA NAVY exercise, Indian Navy will be represented by guided missile destroyer INS Ranvir, indigenous frigate INS Satpura, indigenous anti-submarine warfare (ASW) corvette INS Kadmatt, indigenous missile corvettes IN Ships Kuthar and Khanjar and fleet tanker INS Jyoti In addition, one Sindhughosh-class submarine, Dornier maritime patrol aircraft, Hawk fighter aircraft, and other integral rotary wing helicopters will be also taking part in the exercise.

Russian Navy will be represented by ships of from its submarine forces, Pacific fleet based at Vladivostok. These ships are Varyag, Admiral Panteleyev and Boris Butoma