Indian, Russian warships conduct anti-piracy drill

Indian and Russian warships have carried out an anti-piracy drill, including stealth frigate and a destroyer, off the Somali coast, according to a top official in Moscow.

Indian navy's 'INS Tabar' stealth frigate and the Russian Pacific Fleet's Udaloy class 'Admiral Vinogradov' destroyer have carried out a drill for joint anti-piracy operations off the Somali coast, Captain Igor Dygalo said.

"The Russian destroyer and the Indian missile frigate have accomplished a number of tasks escorting commercial ships in the Gulf of Aden in areas threatened by pirate attacks," Captain Dygalo said.

He did not specify when the drill took place and whether it was part of the 'INDRA-2009' joint wargames, which failed to materialise as submarine killer 'Admiral Vinogradov' destroyer did not turn up 'due to technical reasons' in the designated area off the Indian coast in Arabian Sea.

In January, Russia deployed 'Admiral Vinogradov' in the Gulf of Aden to replace the Baltic Fleet's Neustrashimy frigate on anti-piracy duties.

Captain Dygalo said the two warships conducted communications drills and joint manoeuvring. Much hyped 'INDRA-2009' joint naval wargames were virtually limited to the Russian nuclear powered missile cruiser 'Pyotr Veliky' dropping in at Mormugao port in Goa.