Indian-Russian joint air exercise ends

The Indian-Russian joint air force exercise AviaIndra I's second phase, involving fighter and helicopter pilots and missile crews from both forces, concluded Thursday at the Halwara Air Force Station in Punjab, an official statement said.

The 10-day exercise held from Nov 17 successfully concluded Thursday, said a defence ministry release, adding the first phase was held at Astrakhan near Caspian Sea in Russia in August this year.

Joint exercise with Russia is of significance for the Indian Air Force as it has large inventory of Russian equipment.

The release said that there is much to benefit from such engagements for both sides.

"The joint air force exercise between IAF and Russian Federation Air Force (RFAF) takes the historic and strategic military partnership between India and Russia to a new level," the release said.

During the exercise, fighter, helicopter and missile crew of the two countries operated together.

The activities included air-to-ground firing and fighter sorties over the Himalayas.

Select members of the team were taken to Bangalore where they were introduced to indigenous programmes including the light combat aircraft (Tejas) and Advanced Light Helicopter (Dhruv).

The Russian team also used the occasion to learn a few steps of 'Bhangra' dance.

--Indo-Asian New Service

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