Russia, India to Hold Joint 'Indra' Military Drills in Fall

© Sputnik / Vitaliy Ankov / Go to the mediabankIndra 2016 Russian-Indian military exercise in Primorye Territory. File photo
Indra 2016 Russian-Indian military exercise in Primorye Territory. File photo - Sputnik International
Subscribe
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that Russia and India plan to conduct the first joint interspecific military exercises ‘Indra-2017’ in the Eastern Military District.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Russian and Indian armed forces will hold joint military exercises, referred to as Indra-2017, in Russia’s Eastern Military District this coming fall, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Friday.

"Last year, we successfully conducted anti-terror and naval exercises. This fall we plan to conduct the first joint interspecific military exercises ‘Indra-2017’ in the Eastern Military District," Shoigu said during a meeting of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation.

The stand of JSC Rosoboronexport during the international military-technical forum ARMY-2016 - Sputnik International
Russian Arms Exporter's India Orders Portfolio Tops $4 Bln - Rosoboronexport
The joint drills increase the authority of the armed forces of Russia and India, and demonstrate the two countries’ defense ministries’ readiness to effectively counteract against modern threats and challenges, the minister noted.

"The military partnership is an important element and a pillar in Russian-Indian strategic cooperation. Joint military exercises are an especially important aspect of the cooperation," Shoigu explained.

Between late September 2016 and early October 2016, Russia and India held military drills in Primorsky Territory in the Russian Far East. Over 500 servicemen and up to 50 military vehicles participated in the exercise.

Moscow and New Delhi agreed to strengthen military cooperation, Sergei Shoigu also said.

"We are determined for further strengthening of the cooperation aimed at increasing the combat readiness of our countries' armed forces, the exchange of experience in various spheres of military affairs," Shoigu said after signing a road map for the development of military cooperation between the two states.

He added that the road map would be the fundamental document on which the planning of bilateral relations would be based.

The S-400 regiment enters on duty in Crimea. File photo - Sputnik International
World
India Plans to Buy Several Regiments of S-400 Systems - Russian Deputy PM
The IRIGC-MTC session was co-chaired by Shoigu and India's Minister of Defense, Finance and Corporate Affairs Arun Jaitley.

India is the foremost importer of Russian military equipment, reportedly accounting for up to 70 percent of the country's Armed Forces equipment.

The intergovernmental commission was created in 2000 for the purpose of coordinating military and technical applications between Moscow and New Delhi. Partnership activities have been carried out between Russia and India from 2011, and will continue until 2020, based on the decisions established at the intergovernmental agreement of 2009.

The program stipulates the implementation of nearly 200 joint projects, including the supply by Russia of its Sukhoi Su and Mikoyan MiG aircraft. As for joint production collaborations, under the BrahMos Aerospace Russian-Indian joint venture, BrahMos cruise missiles are manufactured by both countries.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала