1. Much anticipated annual exercise between Indian and Russian forces is set to commence in the far east off the city of Vladivostok in Ussuriysk. Around 500 personnel, 250 each from Indian and Russian Armies, are likely to take part in the manoeuvres spread over 12 days in the ranges of Ussurisk in the Primorie region. The Indian contingent from an Infantry Brigade comprising 250 Military personnel along with sup-porting staff will arrive from India sometime in the third week of Sep 2016. The training schedule is likely to be focused on training on ‘Coun-ter Terrorism Operations under a United Nations Mandate’.
2. Aim of the exercise is to strive to understand each others’ battle drills and procedures, so as to achieve optimum cohesion and enhanced inter operability between the two forces. The focus during this 12 day in-teraction between the forces of two countries is likely to be on free ex-change in ideas, discussion of concepts and assimilation of best prac-tices between the troops of the two nations. Enhancing mutual confi-dence and inter-operability between the two armies would be a area of focus during the said training. The two countries' troops will engage in a simulated counter-terrorist operation and practice detecting and eliminat-ing simulated illegal armed groups.
Indian and Russian soldiers practice combat shooting during the joint India-Russia Mili-tary Exercise in the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Bikaner India in 2015
3. Exercise Indra series between India and Russia are a long-term training program held by Russia and India since 2003. The conduct of this joint military exercise is seen as an important step to reinforce ac-tions related to the establishment and fostering of peace, prosperity and stability in the world by the two nations.
