Indian and Russian Navies Launch Exercise INDRA 2026

The Indian Navy and the Russian Federation Navy commenced Exercise INDRA 2026 in Vladivostok, Russia, with an opening ceremony held on October 15. The bilateral exercise, scheduled from October 13 to 18, began with a harbour phase that included cross-deck visits, protocol meetings, and a planning conference between the operational teams of the INS Sahyadri and the Russian ship Aldar Tsydenzhapov.

Senior personnel from the Russian Federation Navy's Pacific Fleet participated in planning for the subsequent sea phase. The exercise aims to improve operational coordination, interoperability, and mutual understanding between the two maritime forces.

The Ministry of Defence of India stated that the deployment aligns with the government's MAHASAGAR vision to foster maritime cooperation and security across regions. The engagement provides opportunities for professional interaction and operational coordination between the two navies.