India, Russia hold maiden aerial exercise

NEW DELHI: India and Russia today started their maiden aerial exercise in Russia involving aircraft like Su-30MKI and Mi-17 helicopters to boost cooperation between their air forces.

"Ex Avia Indra-2014 commenced today at Astrakhan region, near the Caspian Sea in Russia. The exercises will continue for ten days and would be concluded on September 5," an IAF release said.

This is the first such exercise involving the air forces of the two countries and is "seen as a major mile stone in military relations. This involves participation of fighter pilots, helicopter pilots, missile combat crew, as well as engineers from the IAF," it said.

The two countries already have INDRA-series war games between their armies and navies but this is the first exercise between their air forces.

During the exercise, fighter and helicopter pilots of IAF will participate in missions alongside Russian pilots in aircraft of the Russian Air Force Su-30SM fighter aircraft, Mi-17 and Mi-35 helicopters.

The two air forces will also hold discussions on air defence and their missile combat crew will interact with each other and participate in air defence exercises.

"It will also provide an opportunity to both the forces for exchange of best practices and will cement the foundation for a more professional interaction and growth in the future," the IAF said.

Russia is the major supplier of defence equipment to India and Russian-origin aircraft such as the Su-30MKI and MiG-series planes are the mainstay of its air power.