MOSCOW (Sputnik) — A squadron of Russia's Pacific Fleet warships and the Indian Navy practiced repelling aerial attacks and conducted firing drills on the first day of the active phase of the Indra Navy 2016 exercise, a spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry's Eastern Military District said Tuesday.
"From the Russian side a squadron of warships of the Russian Pacific Fleet under the command of Rear Adm. Eduard Mikhailov is participating in the drills, including the Admiral Tributs anti-submarine destroyer and the Boris Butoma fleet oiler," Vladimir Matveev said.
Indra Navy 2016 drills are being held in the Bay of Bengal on December 14-21. This year, some 500 servicemen are engaged in the drills, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
The first joint Russian-Indian naval drills were held in 2003. The exercises were also held in 2005, 2007, 2014 and 2015.
