Indo-Russian joint air exercise Avia-Indra I ends

A nine day Indo-Russian joint air force exercise concluded at the Halwara Air Force Station in Punjab that saw fighter, helicopter and missile crew of the two countries operating together.

"Such exercises, especially with Russia, are of significance as the IAF has a large inventory of Russian equipment. For the diverse defence needs of the two air forces there is much to benefit from such engagements for both sides," an official statement said.

The Avia-Indra I -- Phase II, the joint Indo–Russia Air Force exercise, began on November 17. The Phase I of the 'Avia Indra I' was held at Astrakhan near Caspian Sea in Russia in August this year.

The joint Air Force exercise between the Indian Air Force and Russian Federation Air Force takes the historic and strategic military partnership between India and Russia to a new level, the statement said.

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

It included Air to Ground firing and fighter sorties over the mighty Himalayas.

Select members of the team were taken to Bengaluru, where they were introduced to indigenous programs, including the LCA Tejas and Advanced Light Helicopter (Dhruv).

To commemorate the event, the two commanders Air Commodore P K Vohra VM and Major General Alexander N Lyapkin unveiled a hand carved stone and planted saplings next to the memorial stone to symbolise growth of this unique partnership etched in the stone for posterity.