Indian, Russian Navy Chiefs Meet

Funding and Policy
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report Jan 20 , 2011
Neelam Mathews
NEW DELHI — India and Russia have held discussions ranging from the operational philosophies of their two navies to ongoing Indian navy projects and mutual training exchanges, following the visit of the Russian naval chief, Adm. Vladimir Vysotskiy, to New Delhi. Training of Indian naval personnel for the operation of the Russian-built aircraft carrier Vikramaditya (once Gorshkov) is scheduled to start later this year. An area of interest is the maritime environment, with emphasis on the growing threat of piracy and opportunities for the two navies to cooperate. The Indian and Russian navies have conducted regular joint exercises called Indra since 2003, and there is a possibility they may increase the scope of exercises in the future. Five exercises have been held so far. The last Indra, in 2009, was conducted off Goa while INS Beas made a port call at St. Petersburg. Vysotskiy also visited the Western Naval Command on Jan. 18, where he saw the INS Shivalik, the indigenously built Indian low-observable frigate.