Russia to partake in joint naval exercises with Indian Navy

Moscow, Nov 27 (UNI) A task force from Russia's Pacific Fleet will leave its main base in Vladivostok on December 9 to take part in joint naval exercises with the Indian navy in the Indian Ocean, a fleet spokesman said today.

Russia and India will conduct joint naval exercises in the Indian Ocean in January under the ''INDRA-2009'' next year, he said.

''The task force will participate in the joint naval exercises INDRA-2009 with the Indian Navy in January,'' he told RIA Novosti news agency.

He said the task force will comprise the Admiral Vinogradov, an Udaloy class missile destroyer, a tugboat, and two tankers.

INDRA is a biennial Russian-Indian exercise aimed at practicing cooperative engagement to enforce maritime law and counter piracy, terrorism, and drug smuggling.

''The exercises will involve a number of artillery and missile live-firing drills,'' the spokesman said.

The task force will also conduct joint exercises with a task force from Russia's Northern Fleet, led by the Pyotr Veliky nuclear-powered missile cruiser, which will arrive in the Indian Ocean after joint drills with the Venezuelan Navy scheduled for December 1.

After the exercises, the Russian warships will pay visits to several ports in Indonesia and China.

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