October 28, 2013:Taking military-to-military relations to the next level, the first combat group level exercise between India and Russia, Indra-13, has been conducted successfully in the Thar Desert, with both sides satisfied with the level of interopability and cooperation established in the joint military training drill.

A combat group strength of Russian Army personnel and an equal complement of Indian Army soldiers from the South Western Command took part in the two-week war game that witnessed integration of their tactical and technical skills in a UN peace enforcement scenario involving mechanised forces. State-of-the-art equipment for surveillance and target acquisition specialist weapons for close quarter battle, explosive and IED detectors, as well as the latest communications equipment was fielded.

Over several days, both sides jointly planned and executed a series of integrated tactical drills for neutralisation of visualised threats potentially encountered in UN peace operations. The exercise has also turned out to be a deep validation of the South Western Command—the Indian Army's youngest command, and its infrastructure to hold joint military exercises.