The Russian Navy is set to host two Indian Navy ships for an upgraded version of the bilateral exercise Indra which will, for the first time, see the participation of all three services of the armed forces.
Shivalik-class frigate INS Satpura and Kamorta-class corvette INS Kadmatt are set to arrive in Vladivostok on October 19, after concluding a port visit to Sasebo, Japan, Oct. 15.
The opening ceremony for Indra 2017 is to take place at 33 Berth, Karabelnaya Embankment, Vladivostok. The ceremony will be attended by Russian Naval Command representatives, participating crews, silent drill team and the Pacific Fleet Staff orchestra.
Instead of the previously held Indra-Navy 2016, AviaIndra 2016 and Indra 2016, a single exercise will now be held involving Pacific fleet and Indian Navy warships, troops and military hardware of EMD, and Indian Air Force and Army formations.
On October 20, the Pacific Fleet training stations is to host a solemn opening ceremony of the Indra 2017 exercise. The ceremony will be attended by Russian and Indian commands as well as personnel involved in the exercise.
Indra 2017 is part of a three-month deployment undertaken by the Indian Navy ships. During their tour, Satpura and Kadmatt are expected to visit 12 ports which include Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Philippines, South Korea, Japan, Brunei and Russia.