India-Russia Bilateral Naval Exercise INDRA-2026

On October 10, 2026, the Indian Navy ship INS Sahyadri arrived in Vladivostok, Russia. The warship will participate in the bilateral naval exercise INDRA-2026, scheduled to be held from October 13 to 18, 2026, between the Indian Navy and the Russian Federation Navy (RuFN).

The exercise will provide an opportunity for the navies of both countries to engage in professional and operational-level discussions. It will also strengthen maritime cooperation and enhance interoperability between the two navies.

Key Activities of Exercise INDRA-2026

The bilateral exercise will be conducted primarily in two phases:

• Harbour Phase: This phase will include professional discussions, the exchange of experiences, and various coordination-related activities.
• Sea Phase: Both navies will participate in coordinated operational activities to improve coordination and efficiency during joint maritime operations.

In addition, social and cultural activities will provide naval personnel from both countries with opportunities to interact and share experiences. These activities will promote mutual trust, camaraderie, and people-to-people ties between India and Russia.

Significance of INDRA-2026 in India-Russia Relations

India and Russia have a long-standing defence and maritime partnership. INDRA-2026 will contribute to further strengthening this partnership. The exercise is significant for enhancing maritime security, operational cooperation, and mutual understanding between the two navies.

INS Sahyadri's participation is aligned with India's MAHASAGAR vision (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions). This vision emphasises cooperation, security, and shared development in the maritime domain.

The deployment also provides an opportunity to build on the momentum generated during the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, held on December 4–5, 2025.

Thus, INDRA-2026 is an important initiative to strengthen India-Russia defence relations, deepen maritime cooperation, and promote collaboration across the broader maritime domain, including the Indo-Pacific region.

The exercise has also provided valuable operational experience by strengthening collective capabilities to address contemporary maritime security challenges. It has facilitated the exchange of best practices, promoted a deeper understanding of each other's operational doctrines, and enhanced the ability of both navies to operate seamlessly in complex maritime environments.

History of Exercise INDRA

The INDRA military exercise was first initiated in 2003. Since its inception, the INDRA exercise series has served as a cornerstone of India-Russia defence relations.

Both countries recognise the importance of maritime security and the need for a collaborative approach to address shared threats and security concerns.