Watch Exercise INDRA: India-Russia tri-services military exercise underway near Vladivostok
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India-Russia tri-services military exercise is underway at the 249th combined Army range Sergeevisky in Russia and in the Sea of Japan near Vladivostok.
The Indian contingent comprises of over 400 officers from the Army, Navy and Air force. The Indian Air Force has included two IL 76 transport aircrafts, one frigate and a corvette.
The Russian Federation Armed Forces is being represented by approximately 1,000 troops of the 5th Army, Marines and Ships of Pacific Fleet and aircraft from Eastern Military District.
The aim of the exercise is to improve interoperability between the two forces especially during disaster and relief operations around the world, India's defense officials said.
Exercise INDRA-2017 in its previous nine avatars was conducted as a single service exercise alternately between the two countries.
Military ties between the two countries date back to the Soviet-era when India entirely depended on Moscow to equip its armed forces.
The United States has since taken over as India's top arms supplier.