Russia and India will begin joint INDRA-2012 anti-terrorism military exercises in the Siberian republic of Buryatia on Sunday, a spokesman for Russia’s Eastern Military District said.

The drills will be held at the Burduny training range until August 16.

On Sunday, Russian and Indian troops will arrive at the training range and begin preparing for an active phase of the exercises, which will begin on August 13, the spokesman said.

Some 500 servicemen – about 250 on each side – will take part in the drills, which will be conducted using Russian-made combat vehicles.

Since 2003, India and Russia have conducted five INDRA-series joint ground and naval exercises. The last such exercise was held in India in October 2010.

Russia cancelled both INDRA-series ground and naval exercises last year despite an earlier announcement by the Russian General Staff that INDRA drills may be held every year and involve three branches of the armed forces.

India is the world’s largest arms importer and a key buyer of Russian weaponry. In 2007-2011, Delhi purchased some $12.7 billion in arms, 80 percent of that from Russia, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

MOSCOW, August 5 (RIA Novosti)

India and Russia to hold joint military exercise India and Russia to hold joint military exercise

The officials from the Indian Army announced this week that they will be holding a joint military exercise with the Russian Army this month.

The exercise, codenamed as Indra-2012 will start from this month 7th. More than 250 soldiers are expected to take place in the exercise, which will take place in the Siberian republic of Buryatia. The exercise will go on for 10 days, ending on August 16. Indra-2012 is one of the several bilateral military exercises between India and Russia planned for this year.

The main focus of the exercise is likely to be counter-terrorism. The synchronisation of the anti-terror operations with heavy combat groups will be tested during the drills. The elimination of terrorist groups through armed attack is the first priority. The search and rescue operations to be undertaken after the terrorist strikes, will also be given preference during the drills.

From the Indian side, in addition to the army, a contingent from the Indian Air Force (IAF) will also be taking part in the operations. The Ilyushin Il-76 multi-purpose strategic airlifter is likely to reach Russia by next week. The army contingent will be commanded by Additional Director General (Mechanised Forces) Maj Gen R S Chand. Troops from the 16 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, Army Medical Corps, 14th Mechanised Infantry, Parachute Regiment, and Artillery are likely to take part from the Indian side.

From the Russian side, hundreds of soldiers will take part, in addition to the armored infantry vehicles and Main Battle Tanks (MBTs). Troops from the Russian Special Forces are also likely to take part in the exercises. The Indian troops will be given the opportunity to use Russian equipment during the drills.

This is the fourth “Indra” exercises to be conducted by India and Russia. The first exercise was carried out in the Indian state of Rajasthan, in 2005. The Russian province of Pskov hosted the second event, while the third one took place in Kumaon, India.

India Defence

August 5, 2012

Russia-India military drill to start Sunday

Russia and India will begin their joint INDRA-2012 anti-terror military exercises in the Siberian republic of Buryatia Sunday, a Russian military official said.

The drills will be held at the Burduny training range until Aug 16, the spokesman for Russia's Eastern Military District said.

Some 500 servicemen - about 250 on each side - will take part in the drills, which will be conducted using Russian-made combat vehicles.

Since 2003, India and Russia have conducted five INDRA-series joint ground and naval exercises. The last such exercise was held in India in October 2010.

Russia cancelled the exercises last year.

India is the world's largest arms importer and a key buyer of Russian weaponry. In 2007-2011, India purchased some $12.7 billion in arms, 80 percent of that from Russia, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

IANS | Aug 5, 2012, 03.44PM IST

Indian, Russian armies to hold joint counter-terror exercise

Indian and Russian armies are scheduled to hold their first joint counter-terrorism wargames, involving tanks and armoured fighting vehicles, close to Moscow's boundary with China and Mongolia from August 7.

The fourth round of army-to-army exercise between the two Armies will involve over 250 troops from both sides and is to be conducted at a training range in Republic of Buryatia in South East of Russia, officials said.

The exercise, INDRA-2012, aims at carrying out counter-terrorism operations by mechanised heavy combat group under UN mandate, they said.

The primary motive of the exercise is to prepare forces of both the countries for anti terrorist operations to eliminate terrorist groups and also to conduct recce and search actions and isolation of terrorist groups, they said.

The Indian contingent is headed by Additional Director General (Mechanised Forces) Maj Gen R S Chand and includes troops from 14 Mechanised Infantry, 16 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles and troops from Parachute Regiment, Artillery and the Army Medical Corps, the officials said.

During the exercise, the Indian troops will also get an opportunity to use Russian equipment, officials said.

An Indian Air Force (IAF) Ilyushin-76 aircraft will also be the part of the exercise ending on August 16.

India and Russia have so far conducted three rounds of INDRA exercises. The first exercise was carried out in 2005 in Rajasthan, followed by Prshkov in Russia. The third exercise was conducted at Chaubattia in Kumaon hills some time ago.

Moscow, Aug 5, 2012, (PTI)