Russian and Indian crews fly Su-30SM and Mi-8 in Indra-2026 drills in Chelyabinsk region
In short
Crews of the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Indian Air Force held joint flights on Su-30SM aircraft and Mi-8 helicopters in the Chelyabinsk region as part of the Indra-2026 exercise, the Russian Defence Ministry said on 22 October. The exercise has run since 14 October in the Chelyabinsk region and the Far East.
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Crews of the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Indian Air Force held joint flights on Su-30SM aircraft and Mi-8 helicopters in the Chelyabinsk region as part of the Indra-2026 exercise, the Russian Defence Ministry said. TASS, RIA Novosti and Interfax reported the statement on the morning of 22 October. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
According to the ministry, the crews on the Su-30SM aircraft practised action against small low-flying targets and the destruction of carriers of short- and medium-range air attack weapons. They also performed elements of manoeuvre air combat at medium and low altitudes. [ 2 , 3 ]
Crews of the two countries also worked together on Mi-8 army aviation helicopters. They carried out the landing of special-purpose units and the search and rescue of crews in distress in hard-to-reach terrain, the ministry said. [ 2 , 3 ]
RIA Novosti described Indra-2026 as joint Russian-Indian inter-service exercises held in the Chelyabinsk region and the Far East since 14 October. It said the exercise includes naval, land and air components. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
The documents give no assessment of wider significance. They show that Russian and Indian air crews practised working together during a joint exercise with naval, land and air components.
Key facts
- Russian and Indian crews flew together on Su-30SM aircraft in the Indra-2026 exercise in the Chelyabinsk region, the Russian Defence Ministry said. [ 2 , 3 ]
- On the Su-30SM, the crews practised action against small low-flying targets, destroying carriers of short- and medium-range air attack weapons, and elements of manoeuvre air combat at medium and low altitudes. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Crews of the two countries also flew Mi-8 army aviation helicopters, practising the landing of special-purpose units and search and rescue of crews in distress in hard-to-reach terrain. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Indra-2026 is a joint Russian-Indian inter-service exercise held in the Chelyabinsk region and the Far East since 14 October, with naval, land and air components. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The number of aircraft, crews and personnel taking part is not given. None of the documents states numbers.
- The date of the flights is not stated beyond the 22 October report. The documents quote the Defence Ministry statement but do not say when the flights took place.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS published a report that Russian and Indian military pilots practised interaction in Indra-2026. [ 1 ]
- RIA Novosti reported joint Su-30SM flights, citing the Russian Defence Ministry. [ 2 ]
- Interfax reported joint Su-30SM and Mi-8 flights in the Chelyabinsk region, citing the Defence Ministry. [ 3 ]