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Whilst the exercise is being undertaken in the Bay of Bengal, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is on a short visit to Moscow to discuss bilateral cooperation and issues of mutual interest Defence Minister of the Russian Federation, General Sergei Shoigu.
Importance of INDRA NAVY Exercise 2020
Initiated in 2003, biennial bilateral maritime exercise between Indian Navy and Russian Navy epitomises the long-term strategic relationship between the navies of the two countries. The maritime exercise has matured over the years with increase in scope, complexity of operations, and level of participation.
The primary objective of holding the INDRA NAVY-20 is to further consolidate inter-operability built up by the two Navies over the years and also to enhance understanding and procedures for multi-faceted maritime operations.
The scope of this edition includes wide-ranging and diverse activities across the spectrum of maritime operations. The exercise is expected to further boost mutual confidence and cooperation between the two Navies and would reinforce the long-standing bond of friendship between the two countries.
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INDRA NAVY 2020 Gets Underway
Due to restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, INDRA NAVY-20 would be undertaken in a ‘non-contact, at sea only’ format in the Bay of Bengal starting from Friday September 4 till Saturday, September 5. The last edition of the exercise was conducted off Visakhapatnam in December 2018.
The 11th edition is aimed at enhancing interoperability, improving understanding and imbibing best practices between the two navies, and would involve surface and anti-aircraft drills, firing exercises, helicopter operations, seamanship evolution etc.
According to the reports, the Indian Navy will be represented by guided missile destroyer Ranvijay, indigenous frigate Sahyadri and fleet tanker Shakti, along with their integral helicopters. Sahyadri has been presently redeployed to provide assistance to MT New Diamond, which has caught fire off the coast of Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, the Russian Federation Navy will be represented by destroyer Admiral Vinogradov, destroyer Admiral Tributs and fleet tanker Boris Butoma of the Pacific Fleet, based at Vladivostok.