The final stage of the Indra-2018 Russian-Indian drills has ended with a joint decisive strike on a simulated enemy’s positions at the Babina practice range in north India. Exercise Indra 18 has been designed to increase interoperability between the armies of India and Russia in a peacekeeping and enforcement environment under the support of the United Nations (UN). Last year, Indra was held from 19 to 29 October with Russia’s Eastern Military District.
During the final stage of the Indra-2018 international drills, the Russian reinforced motorized battalion and the 5th mechanized infantry battalion group of India’s 31st armored division marched to the range at their fuel strength. The drills involved 14 T-90 tanks and 14 BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles, and also 500 troops. Under the drills’ scenario, the motor rifle units mopped up villages seized by terrorists, after which the government forces regained control of the communities. Supported by the Indian 155mm Bofors artillery guns and by the fire of Shilka self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, the armor was deployed in battle formations to deliver a massive strike against the positions of notional terrorists holding the communities seized earlier,
During the closing ceremony, Major General PS Minhas, General Officer Commanding, WhiteTiger Division of Indian Army and Major General Tsekov Oleg Moosovich, Cdr 5th Army from Russian Army jointly reviewed the parade commanded by Colonel Ajay and Lieutenant Colonel Kozim who were the parade commanders on part of the Indian and Russian contingents respectively. The commanders of the Russian and Indian military contingents had already discussed the preliminary results of the maneuvers and assessed the practical experience gained during the war games.
