India and Russian armies tri-service military exercise 'INDRA-2017' enters final phase

New Delhi: Indra 2017, the first tri-service military exercise between India and Russia, entered its final phase on Friday in Russia, the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

The 11-day exercise, which is being carried out under the mandate of the United Nations since 19 October, saw simulations of various settings and possible exigencies in dealing with terrorists.

In one such setting, the Indian and Russian task force comprising armoured, mechanised infantry and infantry elements, supported by fighter aircrafts and armed helicopters successfully extricated a humanitarian aid convoy from a terrorist attack, which was simulated as per the exercise setting.

The humanitarian assistance was aimed for trapped civilians in a counter insurgency environment.

The attack tested the response mechanism of the combined task force of Indian and Russian defence forces.

The terrorists were successfully isolated and the humanitarian aid convoy was escorted to safety, the statement said giving details of the exercise.

Simultaneously, fighter aircraft and armed helicopters pulverised the target while artillery elements comprising 122mm GRAD and howitzers further softened the target.

Armoured tanks closed in on the target along with mechanised infantry elements and cordoned off the entire area, and the stage was set for the infantry to launch the final assault.

The last drill of Exercise Indra 2017 will be carried out tomorrow when landing of ground forces at Cape of Klerk training area, using an amphibious vessel, will be undertaken by Indian and Russian naval elements with air Support.

The exercise will culminate on 29 October in a grand closing ceremony which will be held at Vladivostok.