A FORCE Report

The opening ceremony for the second edition of bilateral tri-service Exercise INDRA-2019 between India and Russia was conducted on 11 December 2019 at Babina, Uttar Pradesh. Lt Gen. DS Ahuja, Chief of Staff Southern Command along with Major General Tsekov Oleg, Commander-in-Chief, 5th Army of Eastern Military District, reviewed the parade.

Armed forces personnel of India and Russia during exercise INDRA-2019

The exercise was simultaneously conducted at three places - Babina (near Jhansi), Goa and Pune. Company-sized mechanised contingents, fighter and transport aircraft and ships of respective services of both the countries took part in the exercise. The press statement by the ministry of defence (MoD) stated that the aim of the exercise was the joint training of troops in counter-terrorism operations under the United Nations mandate. The statement said INDRA-2019 will further cement the long-standing strategic ties between India and Russia.

As part of the exercise, important lectures, demonstrations and drills related to counter terrorism operations were conducted. Both the countries also shared their valuable experi