Russian Federation Naval ships Pechanga, Rezkiy and Aldar Tsydenzhapov and Indian Navy ships Rana, Kuthar and Maritime patrol aircraft P8l are part of the 14th edition of the Indian-Russia bilateral naval exercise INDRA, taking place from Friday to Wednesday.
The harbour phase of the exercise will include the opening ceremony, subject matter expert exchanges (SMEEs), reciprocal visits, sports events, and pre-sail briefings between personnel from both navies, while advanced naval drills, including tactical manoeuvres, live weapon firings, anti-air operations, underway replenishment, helicopter cross-deck landings and exchange of sea-riders will be part of the sea phase. The sea phase will take place in the Bay of Bengal, and the harbour phase in Chennai.
🇷🇺#RussianNavy Ships #Rezky (Steregushchiy-class Corvette) and #Pechenga (Dubna-class Replenishment Oiler) from the Pacific Fleet have arrived in #Chennai🇮🇳 today to participate in the #Indra 2025 Bilateral Naval Exercises. pic.twitter.com/ggRUQCXv2a
— News IADN (@NewsIADN) March 26, 2025
These exercises and interactions aim to boost maritime cooperation, strengthen bridges of friendship, exchange best operational practices and bolster diplomatic ties between the two nations.
The joint maneuvers offer "another opportunity to check the readiness for joint operations and address a broad range of issues," said Captain 1st Rank Aleksey Antsiferov who commands the Russian Pacific Fleet’s warships.
"Indra Navy is the format of the drills that allow for exchanging experience, sharpening the skills and practicing joint actions, establishing contacts and bolstering strategic partnership between India and Russia for jointly countering military threats at sea," news agency TASS quoted him as saying.
He clarified that the maneuvers are not directed against any states and are not related to any changes in the military and political situation in the world.
"Their basic goal is to maintain stability in the World Ocean where our fleets operate," he said and expressed confidence that the drills will result in increased cooperation between the two navies.
Since its inception in 2003, Exercise INDRA epitomises the long-term strategic relationship between the two Navies.
The exercise has evolved into a symbol of maritime cooperation, showcasing the two nations' commitment to enhancing naval interoperability and operational synergy, the defence ministry said in a release.
