Joint Indian‑Russian navy enhances coordination ahead of Indra‑2026 sea operations

New Delhi reported on 16 October that the joint Indian‑Russian naval exercise Indra‑2026 has finalized its sea‑phase preparations. The maritime segment, which will run until 18 October, follows a successful harbour phase that began on 13 October.

Representatives from INS Sahyadri and the Russian vessel Aldar Tsydenzhapov held a detailed planning conference, attended by senior Russian naval officers. Together they drafted a comprehensive schedule for the upcoming sea manoeuvres and clarified operational responsibilities.

The harbour phase, completed earlier, served to align command structures and test joint procedures. During that period, the Indian delegation met Vice Admiral A.Y. Sisev, the commanding officer of the Primorsky Flotilla’s mixed forces, to cement coordination.

The two‑stage Indra‑2026 exercise—first harbour activities, then open‑water drills—aims to sharpen interoperability and strengthen the historic defence partnership between the two nations.