Russia, India to Hold Naval Exercises in Sea of Japan

(RIA Novosti) – A task force from the Indian Navy will arrive in the port of Vladivostok in Russia’s Far East on July 14 to take part in joint exercises with the Russian Pacific Fleet, a spokesman for Russia’s Eastern Military District said Friday.
"On July 14, an Indian Navy task force, which consists of INS Ranvijay destroyer, the INS Shivalik frigate, and INS Shakti fleet tanker will visit the city of Vladivostok," Capt. 1st Rank Roman Martov said.
The program of the six-day visit includes joint Indra-2014 exercises. The Pacific Fleet will be represented by the Varyag guided-missile cruiser, the Admiral Vinogradov destroyer, the Peresvet and several auxiliary ships. Both sides will use extensively naval aircraft and helicopters.
According to Martov, the active phase of the exercises will take place on July 17-19 in the Peter the Great Gulf in the Sea of Japan. During the exercises, the ships will hold tactical maneuvering drills, artillery and missile firing drills, as well as helicopter deck-landing drills.
The exercises will end on July 19 with a debriefing aboard the Varyag, the flagship of the Pacific Fleet.
Since 2003, India and Russia have conducted seven large exercises under the so-called Indra series of joint ground and naval drills. In 2011, Russia canceled joint naval drills with India in the Pacific Ocean, citing the tsunami and subsequent nuclear crisis in Japan.