Rupesh Samant

Vasco, Dec 11: The opening ceremony for the Naval leg of Indo-Russian tri-service exercise INDRA– 2019 was held at Goa’s Mormugao Harbour on Wednesday, December 11.

A press statement by Indian Navy released here has stated that Indian Navy’s ships Tarkash, Aditya and Russian Federation Navy’s ships Yaroslav Mudriy, Viktor Konetsky and Elnya are participating in the exercises that would be held off Goa coast.

Naval spokesman said that the participating ships will undergo Harbour Phase of exercise till December 15 including deployment planning, cross visits, professional lectures and sports fixtures.

“The Sea Phase will be conducted from December 16 - 19 with a joint validation exercise on December 18 including participants from Indian Army and Indian Air Force,” he said.

During the launch on Wednesday, the Naval Band played national anthems of the two participating countries, India and Russia.

Naval spokesman said that Rear Admiral Philipose G Pynumootil, Flag Officer Commanding Goa Naval Area delivered the opening address, where he emphasised the importance of INDRA evolving into a tri-service exercise and the long standing cooperation with Russia in defence technology, training and equipment.

Rear Admiral Vladimir Vorobev, Chief of Staff, Baltic Fleet represented the Russian Federation Navy and also addressed the gathering.

Earlier during the day, a Russian delegation comprising senior naval officers called on the Flag Officer Commanding Goa Naval Area, who returned the call by visiting Russian ship Yaroslav Mudriy.