The first joint exercises between airborne forces of India and Russia are on in Agra. A simulated anti-terrorist operation is the highlight of the operation
NEW DELHI: The first joint exercises between airborne forces of India and Russia would see them carrying out an operation to capture dreaded terrorist commanders during a meeting in an imaginary South Asian nation plagued by extremism.
Though the operation is simulated, the military planners on both sides agreed on it because of the present world scenario and also to carry forward the momentum set by political leadership in cooperation against terrorism, say senior Indian Army officers.
While the first part of Exercise Indra has begun in Agra, the Indian and Russian naval forces are holding a joint exercise off Vishakapatnam.
According to Brigadier Deepak Sinha, who is commanding the only airborne formation of India, the 50 (Independent) Parachute Brigade, the first part of the joint airborne exercises began on October 10 in Agra.
"This will culminate with a tactical phase involving an Airborne Exercise at Mahajan Firing Ranges, which will form the second part of the training," Sinha said.
In the second phase, the two sides would carry out the anti-terrorist raid. Indian and Russian airborne troops would be part of an Airborne Task Force under UN mandate, raiding the meeting of senior terrorist commanders in a South Asian nation which has approached the international body for assistance against terrorists. A total of 148 Russian troops would be taking part in the exercise.
For the traditional allies the biggest stumbling block is their language difference. For the past couple of months, the Indian para brigade put some of their soldiers through a crash course in Russian to improve their exercise efficiency.
Meanwhile the two sides are set to begin their second joint naval exercise off Vishakapatanam from Monday. The Russian navy has sent its Pacific Fleet's flagship, missile cruiser Varyag and anti-submarine ships Admiral Tributs and Admiral Panteleyev, tanker Pechenega and tugboat Kalar for the exercises. From the Indian side too there is a sizeable number of ship and other assets participating in the exercises.
Fastfacts
Name of operation: Exercise IndRa
Participants: 148 Russian troops will take part in the exercise. On the Indian side it will be the 50 (Independent) Parachute Brigade
The biggest stumbling block: Language difference. A few members of the Indian side has undergone a crash course in Russian for this purpose
The Naval exercise: The participants: Russian Pacific Fleet's flagship, missile cruiser Varyag and anti-submarine ships Admiral Tributs and Admiral Panteleyev, tanker Pechenega and tugboat Kalar The Indian side is manoeuvering surface vessels and submarines from the Indian Navy's Western and Eastern Fleets, including the Vikrant aircraft carrier
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}