In a display of coordinated naval activity, Russian warships conducted artillery exercises that targeted sea and air objectives during drills carried out with India. The information support department of the Pacific Fleet reported the events to TASS, underscoring the collaborative nature of the operation and its broader strategic implications for regional security in the Indian Ocean region.
The two-day exercise, a joint effort between the Russian and Indian maritime forces, culminated in the Bay of Bengal. Both nations used the opportunity to test and refine procedures that enhance interoperability between their fleets, a goal frequently pursued through sustained joint training and routine exchanges of tactical expertise.
Key elements of the exercise focused on sustaining operations while underway. Ships practiced the resupply of provisions and ammunition at sea, a critical capability that keeps naval formations combat-ready without requiring a return to port. In a notable demonstration of cross‑service cooperation, Indian Navy helicopter crews landed on the deck of a Russian Navy vessel, while Russian pilots conducted landing approaches on an Indian destroyer. Such maneuvers underscore the importance of joint deck operations and the ease with which different platforms can integrate during complex missions.
Night operations formed a prominent part of the program. Artillery units engaged air and surface targets after dark, testing the ships’ defensive configurations and the crews’ readiness to organize a joint detachment against potential aerial threats from a simulated adversary. These exercises are designed to validate command-and-control procedures, targeting accuracy, and the coordination required to shield a multinational task group from airborne attack in a contested environment.
During the exercise timeline, observers noted that a Russian Navy vessel reached Thailand, marking a significant milestone as the fleet expands its regional presence. The move highlights the Pacific Fleet’s intent to sustain diplomatic and military engagement across Southeast Asia, reinforcing the value of secure sea lines of communication and collaborative defense planning with regional partners.
These drills align with broader statements from regional leaders about the role of naval forces in maintaining regional stability. Leaders have stressed that credible power projection, combined with disciplined alliance operations, contributes to deterrence and fosters confidence among partner nations. In this context, the Bay of Bengal exercise serves as a visible example of how navies can train together to respond to evolving security challenges while pursuing common interests in maritime safety, search and rescue readiness, and crisis management capabilities.
The exercise also reflected a continuity of dialogue and practical cooperation between Moscow and New Delhi. By maintaining robust training exchanges, both sides strive to deepen professional ties, improve seamanship standards, and share lessons learned from real-world deployments. Analysts often point to these activities as an indicator of strategic alignment in the Indo-Pacific region, where naval balance and freedom of navigation remain central to regional diplomacy and economic security.
Overall, the drills demonstrated the growing sophistication of bilateral naval cooperation and highlighted the enduring importance of interoperability at sea. Through coordinated operations, resupply drills, aircraft–ship integration, night-fire exercises, and the steady expansion of regional presence, the two nations reaffirm their commitment to building practical capabilities that support peace and stability across the maritime domain. The lessons drawn from these exercises feed into ongoing planning and training programs that aim to increase readiness, resilience, and the collective ability to operate in complex, multi-domain environments. ”}