The Air-force of India and Russia are conducting the second phase of the joint exercise ‘Avia-Indra’ from November 18 to the 28. This exercise is being conducted two months after the successful completion of the maiden aerial joint exercise in Vladivostok, Russia, this year.
An eighteen member Russian Air Force team arrived at the Air Force Station Halwara, Punjab to participate in Phase II of the bilateral exercise.
The Russian delegation is headed by Major General Alexander Lyapkin and consists of Fighter and Helicopter aircrew as well as Air Defence crew among other members. The exercise involves exchange of best practices in counter-terrorism, training with helicopters, joint flights in fighter aircraft, fire-fighting and air defence.
During the exercise, Russian aircrew would be flying the Su-30 MKI, Mi-17 & Mi-35 aircraft with the IAF, at the Halwara air base. The joint exercise is aimed at strengthening the relations between the two Air Forces taking forward the India – Russia strategic partnership.
The beginning of the exercise coincides with the visit of Colonel General Viktor Nikolaevich Bondarev, Commander-in-Chief of Russian Federation Air Force (RFAF) who is in India on a 3-day visit.