India, Russia to Hold Jt Naval Exercises

New Delhi, Apr 19 (UNI) India and Russia will conduct a joint naval counter-terrorism exercise -- 'Indra-2007' -- in the Sea of Japan next week, an official spokesperson said here today.

The exercise -- from April 24 to 26 -- will be the third such joint exercise between the two countries since 2003. The biennial joint exercise between the two navies was aimed at ''practicing cooperative engagement'' in the fight against terrorism, said the spokesperson.

Russia will be represented by two large anti-submarine ships, a missile boat, a diesel submarine, a group of mine-sweepers, a tanker, two tug boats, two Ka-27 Helix helicopters and an Il-38 May maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft.

The Indian naval group -- part of the Indian Eastern Naval Fleet currently visiting south east Asia and the far east -- will comprise three missile destroyers, a missile corvette and a tanker.

The exercise will include surface live ammunition firing, air defence and anti-submarine warfare manoeuvres.

The naval groups will also practise operations related to maintaining maritime order and countering piracy, terrorism and drug smuggling.

UNI