India and Russia Conduct Naval Exercises in Bay of Bengal

The Russian-Indian naval exercises, INDRA, have successfully concluded in the Bay of Bengal.

According to Anadolu, the ships of the Indian Navy and the Russian Navy have returned to the Indian port of Chennai, where they will reflect on their collaborative efforts at sea and participate in an official closing ceremony.

The Russian side was represented in the exercises by the corvettes Rezky, Aldar Tsydenzhapov, and the medium-sized sea tanker Pechenga from the Pacific Fleet.

The Indian Navy participated with the large anti-submarine ship Rana and the corvette Kuthar.

Over the course of three days, the sailors from both countries practiced tactical maneuvering in joint groups, and improved practical skills in combating unmanned aerial vehicles and unmanned boats of a hypothetical adversary.

They also conducted artillery firing exercises at sea and air targets.

The exercise also involved deck helicopters from the naval aviation of the participating countries.

A Russian Ka-27M helicopter landed on the Indian anti-submarine ship Rana, while the Indian crew of a Chetak helicopter landed on the deck of a Russian corvette.

Militarnyi reported that the Russian ships had arrived in India at the end of March.

The INDRA exercises are aimed at improving the interaction between the fleets. They consist of both shore-based and maritime components. Onshore, during the planning conference, ship commanders discuss issues of cooperation and the procedures for joint actions at sea. The sailors from both countries conduct mutual ship visits and participate in sports activities.

The Indian Navy has stated that since their inception in 2003, those exercises had been intended to strengthen the long-term strategic relations between the Russian and Indian fleets.

As previously reported, InformNapalm found that the Indian company Park Controls & Communications had helped the Russian EMT obtain sanctioned equipment from Europe. This equipment was then used by Russia’s defense industry for the production of weapons.