Russian, Indian Troops Use Orlan-10 Drones in Indra-2016 Drills

VLADIVOSTOK (Sputnik) — Russian and Indian motorized infantry personnel taking part in the joint Indra-2016 military exercises used Russia's Orlan-10 drone to strike simulated terrorist groups, a spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry's Eastern Military District said Tuesday.

"During the exercises, the Eastern Military District and Indian troops used Russian Orlan-10 unmanned aerial vehicles to jointly learn to detect simulated illegal armed groups," Vladimir Matveev said.

Orlan-10 drones are designed to carry out remote surveying and can work to adjust fire or survey damages, as well as function as a connection repeater. The UAV has been used in Russia's counterterrorist aerial campaign in Syria.

The drones were used to draw up routes in order to organize a tactical advance and block the armed groups before destroying them, he added.

Joint counterterrorism exercises dubbed Indra-2016 with participation of Russian and Indian troops started on Friday in Russia's Far East Primorsky Territory. With the drills running though October 2, more than 500 servicemen, over 50 armored infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers, tanks and multiple-launch rocket systems are taking part.

Russia and India have maintained a close partnership in military and technical cooperation for decades, and holding Indra drills since 2003. The exercises serve to facilitate cooperation and foster the exchange of relevant experience between the Indian and Russian armed forces.