INDRA NAVY 2020: Indian, Russian Navy to begin exercise in Bay of Bengal on Sept 4-5

Indian and the Russian Navy will begin the 11th edition of the INDRA NAVY exercise- a biennial maritime exercise in the Bay of Bengal from September 4 to September 5. Initiated in 2003, INDRA NAVY epitomises the long-term strategic relationship between the Indian and the Russian Navy.

New Delhi:The 11th edition of exercise INDRA NAVY, a biennial bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and Russian Navy is scheduled in the Bay of Bengal from September 4 to September 5.

"11th edition of exercise INDRA NAVY, a biennial bilateral maritime exercise between Indian Navy and Russian Navy is scheduled in the Bay of Bengal from September 4 to 5," Indian Navy spokesperson said in a release.

Started in 2003, INDRA NAVY epitomises the long-term strategic relationship between the Indian and the Russian Navy.

Whilst the exercise is being undertaken in the Bay of Bengal, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is on a visit to Moscow to discuss bilateral cooperation and issues of mutual interest and commemoration of the 75th anniversary of victory in World War II.

The exercise is aimed at enhancing interoperability, improving understanding & imbibing best practices between the two navies, & would involve surface & anti-aircraft drills, firing exercises, helicopter operations, seamanship evolutions etc, the Indian Navy said.

The Indian Navy will be represented by guided-missile destroyer Ranvijay, indigenous frigate Sahyadri and fleet tanker Shakti, along with their integral helicopters.

Sahyadri has been presently redeployed to provide assistance to MT New Diamond, which has caught fire off the coast of Sri Lanka.

The Russian Federation Navy will be represented by destroyer Admiral Vinogradov, destroyer Admiral Tributs and fleet tanker Boris Butoma of the Pacific Fleet, based at Vladivostok.

Exercise INDRA NAVY-20 is expected to further boost mutual confidence and cooperation between the two Navies and would reinforce the long-standing bond of friendship between the two countries.