PUNE: A joint tri-services exercise called ‘Indra 2019’ between India and Russia will be conducted from December 10 to 19 simultaneously at Pune, Babina (near Jhansi) and Goa. 

The Indra series of exercise began in 2003 and the first joint tri-services exercise was conducted in 2017. 

The Armed Forces of both countries will learn the best practices from each other and jointly evolve and practice drills to defeat the scourge of terror under the United Nation (UN) mandate.

According to officials, company-sized mechanised contingents, fighter and transport aircraft, as well as ships of respective Army, Air Force and Navy, will participate in this exercise for ten days. 

The exercise will consist of a five-day training phase consisting of a comprehensive training curriculum. 

Tactical operations and drills such as cordon and search, house intervention, handling and neutralisation of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), prevention of arms smuggling through the sea route and anti-piracy measures will be practised. 

This training phase will be followed by a 72-hour validation exercise. 

The exercise will culminate on December 19 with an integrated firepower demonstration and the closing ceremony.

“The espirit-de-corps and goodwill generated during the exercise will facilitate the further strengthening of bonds between the defence forces of India and Russia enabling them to understand each other’s organisations and the methodology of executing joint counter-terrorist operations,” stated a press release from Army.