India-Russia Naval Exercise INDRA-2025 to Boost Maritime Synergy and Diplomacy

First initiated in 2003, Exercise INDRA has grown from a modest bilateral naval engagement into a comprehensive, multi-faceted military exercise encompassing all domains of naval warfare.

In a testament to the enduring strategic partnership and mutual trust between India and Russia, the 14th edition of the bilateral naval exercise INDRA-2025 is set to unfold off the coast of Chennai from March 28 to April 2, 2025. A flagship maritime engagement between the two navies, Exercise INDRA stands as a powerful symbol of shared security interests, regional stability, and military cooperation.

A Legacy of Maritime Partnership

First initiated in 2003, Exercise INDRA has grown from a modest bilateral naval engagement into a comprehensive, multi-faceted military exercise encompassing all domains of naval warfare. Over the years, it has evolved into a critical component of Indo-Russian defense relations, reflecting a shared vision for secure, open, and cooperative maritime spaces.

INDRA is derived from the amalgamation of the names “India” and “Russia,” and the annual naval engagement under this banner underscores the strategic convergence of two longstanding allies.

Exercise INDRA-2025: Structure and Schedule

The 2025 edition of Exercise INDRA is being conducted in two distinct phases:

• Harbour Phase: March 28 to March 30 – Held at the Chennai port, this phase includes a series of professional, cultural, and ceremonial exchanges.

• Sea Phase: March 31 to April 2 – Conducted in the Bay of Bengal, the sea phase will involve high-end naval combat and interoperability drills.

Participating Naval Assets

This year’s iteration brings together a formidable array of naval assets from both countries:

• From the Russian Navy:

  • RFS Pechanga (fleet oiler)

  • RFS Rezkiy (corvette)

  • RFS Aldar Tsydenzhapov (Steregushchiy-class corvette)

• From the Indian Navy:

  • INS Rana (Rajput-class destroyer)

  • INS Kuthar (Khukri-class corvette)

  • P-8I Poseidon long-range maritime patrol aircraft

These ships and aircraft represent a blend of power projection, anti-submarine warfare, maritime surveillance, and replenishment capabilities.

Highlights of the Harbour Phase

The Chennai leg of the exercise will include a grand opening ceremony, along with a diverse range of professional and cultural interactions:

• Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs) – Focused discussions on naval tactics, anti-submarine warfare, damage control, and search-and-rescue operations.

• Reciprocal Ship Visits – Naval personnel will tour each other’s warships to understand operational procedures and interoperability.

• Friendly Sports Fixtures – Volleyball, football, and cultural performances will help strengthen personal bonds.

• Pre-sail Briefings – Final coordination before transitioning to complex at-sea maneuvers.

Sea Phase: Forging Operational Synergy

The highlight of INDRA-2025 will be its Sea Phase, which promises to be an action-packed display of naval coordination and combat readiness. Key operations planned include:

• Tactical Formations and Manoeuvres – Simulated combat movements to practice fleet coordination and command.

• Live Weapon Firings – Surface and anti-air gunnery practice with real-time targeting.

• Anti-Air Warfare Drills – Testing shipborne air defense systems under realistic scenarios.

• Underway Replenishment (UNREP) – Practicing logistics and endurance operations while at sea.

• Helicopter Cross-Deck Landings – Coordination between air elements and flight deck operations.

• Sea-Rider Exchange – Personnel from both navies will embark on each other’s ships to gain firsthand experience of operations.

Strategic and Diplomatic Significance

Beyond the military drills, INDRA-2025 serves a broader strategic purpose. As both India and Russia navigate evolving maritime challenges, including piracy, smuggling, and regional power shifts, these joint exercises provide an essential framework for mutual preparedness and trust-building.

Exercise INDRA also enhances interoperability, particularly in terms of communication protocols, tactical procedures, and command coordination, which could prove vital in future multinational humanitarian or security operations.

A Step Toward Greater Global Maritime Cooperation

India’s maritime strategy emphasizes partnerships with friendly navies to secure the Indo-Pacific region. Russia’s engagement complements this vision, contributing to regional balance and collaborative maritime governance. Together, the navies of India and Russia reaffirm their commitment to peace, stability, and a rules-based maritime order.

As Exercise INDRA-2025 sets sail, it stands not only as a beacon of bilateral cooperation but also as a model for broader international naval collaboration in a rapidly evolving strategic environment.