India and Russia begin harbour phase of INDRA 2026 exercise

India and Russia have commenced the harbour phase of the INDRA 2026 joint exercise. Operational teams from the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri and the Russian Navy corvette Aldar Tsydenzhapov held a planning conference in Vladivostok to coordinate the upcoming sea phase.

As part of the port visit, the Indian delegation met with Vice Admiral AY Sysuev, Commander of the Primorsky Flotilla of the Pacific Fleet. The INDRA 2026 exercise is a tri-service operation involving naval, ground, and air force elements. It is being conducted across Russia's Chelyabinsk Region and the Russian Far East, featuring ground force units, warships, and aircraft from the Russian Aerospace Forces.

The land component of the exercise is scheduled to continue until 23 October, focusing on command-and-control procedures and joint operations against simulated illegal armed groups. The maritime phase is set to take place in the Sea of Japan between 16 and 17 October, involving tactical manoeuvres and artillery engagement.