Indra Navy 18 drill concluded between Indian and Russian Naval forces on Monday. The operation is being conducted between the two countries since 2003

Vishakhapatnam: A joint exercise by the Russian and Indian Navy troops, called the Indra Navy 18 was conducted in the Bay of Bengal on Monday, December 17.

The bilateral exercise Indra Navy-2018 concluded on Monday after a rigorous and power-packed four days in the Bay of Bengal. The Sea Phase of the ongoing INDRA Navy Bilateral Exercise between Russian Federation Navy (RuFN) and Indian Navy commenced in the Bay of Bengal on 13 December 2018. Numerous aircraft and a submarine from the Indian Navy were also a part of the drill. It included Russia's Fleet ships and a total of 10 ships from both the countries participated together as a Composite Task Force.

India-Russia Naval Exercises, named ‘INDRA NAVY’ are being conducted since 2003. The first Indo-Russian bilateral naval exercise was conducted in May 2003 on both the Western and Eastern seaboards of India.

"The exercises at sea were progressed despite the deteriorating weather conditions further enhancing the interoperability between both the navies", a statement from the Indian Navy said. Underway replenishment at sea, anti-submarine warfare manoeuvres, Visit, Board, Search and Seize (VBSS) drills and firing on aerial targets were all a part of the exercise.

The major aims of the visit are strengthening and development of friendly relations between the navies of the two countries and conduct of the joint Naval exercise. It was the 10th edition of the exercise which provided another golden opportunity to both the Naval forces to be exchange best practices in unison.