First tri-service “Indra” exercise to be conducted by India and Russia in Oct 2017

India and Russia will hold a major bilateral military exercise in October 2017 involving their armies, navies and the air forces for the first time to further ramp up defense ties. The exercise ‘Indra’, which will be held in Russia from 19^th to 29^th October 2017, will primarily focus on achieving coordination between forces of the two countries in a tri- services integrated theater command scenario.
Background Information:

• Russia has been a long-standing defence partner of India and both the countries are now eyeing to further deepen the ties.
• During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia in June 2017, both countries had decided to upgrade and intensify defence cooperation through joint manufacture, co-production and co-development of key military hardware and equipment.
• A vision document issued at the time of PM Modis’ visit to Russia stated that both the countries have decided to work towards a qualitatively higher level of military-to-military cooperation.

More information about first tri-service “Indra” Exercise between India and Russia:

• India and Russia have been holding the ‘Indra’ series of exercises since 2003. So far, these exercises were army-to-army, navy-to-navy or air force-to- air force.
• This will be for the first time India will participate in a tri-services exercise with a foreign country with such large scale participation by the Navy, the Army and the Air Force.
• A total of 350 Indian Army personnel will participate at the mega exercise and the contingent will be led by a major- general rank official. The contingents by the Navy and the Indian Air Force (IAF) will also be sizeable in numbers.
• The exercise will take place in three locations in Russia including in mountainous Vladivostok region.

Quick Facts about Russia:
Capital: Moscow
Currency: Russian Ruble
Current President: Vladimir Putin