Russia to power Indian Navy

Russia has been transferring naval technology to India and both the nations have deep defence ties for more than five decades. “The Russian Navy has been transferring the technology to us since many years. The naval dockyard here in Vizag was also built by the Russians. These kind of bilateral exercises will not only help to strengthen the mutual cooperation in maritime security operations and inter operability of both the navies, but also the technology will be put to use and practice at sea which will help us during war,” Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet of Indian Navy, Rear Admiral S.V. Bokhare told reporters here on Tuesday.

Addressing a joint press conference, of senior officials of both Indian and Russian navies, Rear Admiral Bokhare further said that both navies have the deepest relationship and it will be a homecoming for the Russian Navy personnel since they have a long association with Indian Navy personnel.

The Indo-Russian joint exercise INDRA was launched in 2003 and it is the eighth such exercise which is underway now off Vizag coast.

Deputy Commander of the Pacific Fleet of Russian Federation Navy, Vadm Ryabukhin Andrey said, “We have many things in common here. I am personally very interested to be here. I have a long association with the Eastern Naval Command, since I visited this place earlier and trained the crew of INS Chakra. Those officers of ENC whom I worked with earlier are now in senior positions in the Indian Navy. I look forward for such joint exercises.”

The exercise that had commenced on Monday will continue till December 12. It will be progressed in two phases — Harbour Phase at Visakhapatnam and the Sea Phase off Visakhapatnam.

The Harbour Phase would encompass table-­top exercises and planning conferences ashore, prior progressing to sea. The sea phase would include various facets of fleet operations.