INDRA 2026 naval exercise ends in Russia

The bilateral naval exercise INDRA 2026 between the Indian Navy and the Russian Federation Navy has concluded, the Ministry of Defence said through PIB on 23 October 2026, with Indian Naval Ship Sahyadri departing Vladivostok on 20 October.

INDRA 2026: Ships of the Indian Navy and the Russian Federation Navy during Exercise INDRA 2026 — Ships of the Indian Navy and the Russian Federation Navy during Exercise INDRA 2026 Photo: PIB (Government of India, free to use with credit).

How INDRA 2026 was conducted

The Ministry of Defence said the exercise was held in two phases, harbour and sea. The harbour phase featured key leaders’ interactions, cross-deck visits, subject matter expert exchanges and operational synchronisation activities, along with sports fixtures and cultural exchanges. According to the ministry, these engagements allowed professional interaction and the exchange of views and operational practices between personnel of the two navies. Cross-deck visits let sailors from each side see how the other navy’s ships are run, while expert exchanges covered specific operational subjects. The ministry said the planning and synchronisation work in harbour set up the activities that followed at sea. The ministry described the harbour programme as the foundation for the sea drills, giving officers from both sides time to discuss procedures face to face before sailing. Sports fixtures and cultural events ran alongside the professional sessions, a regular feature of such bilateral visits.

Key Facts

Exercise: INDRA 2026, India-Russia bilateral naval exercise
Indian ship: INS Sahyadri
Left Vladivostok: 20 October 2026
Phases: harbour and sea
Sea drills: manoeuvres, communications, helicopter ops, medical evacuation

INS Sahyadri at sea with the Russian Navy

The sea phase involved coordinated manoeuvring, integrated communications, helicopter operations and medical evacuation drills, the ministry said. These activities let the participating units practise coordinated procedures at sea, improve communication and strengthen operational coordination and interoperability. Interoperability means the ability of ships from different navies to work together safely, share information and follow common procedures, which is a central aim of such drills. The ministry added that sports and cultural interactions fostered camaraderie and strengthened bonds between personnel of the Indian Navy and the Russian Navy, complementing the professional work and reinforcing long-standing naval ties between the two countries. The release did not give the number of Russian ships or personnel taking part.

What the Indian Navy says the exercise achieved

According to the ministry, the successful conclusion of INDRA 2026 reaffirmed the enduring defence and maritime partnership between India and Russia. It said the exercise underscored the importance of sustained naval engagement, professional cooperation and interoperability in building mutual understanding and contributing to maritime security. It also reflected the shared commitment of both navies to a secure, stable and peaceful maritime environment, the ministry said. INS Sahyadri’s departure from Vladivostok, the main Russian Pacific port, marked the end of the Indian ship’s participation in this edition of the exercise. The ministry’s release was issued from New Delhi with photographs from the exercise. The release, numbered 206/26, carried photographs of the ships at sea and of personnel from both navies during the harbour phase. No date for the next edition of INDRA was announced.

Why It Matters: Regular drills help the two navies operate together safely and keep a long-standing defence relationship active at sea.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Defence, 23 Oct 2026 · Indian Navy