INS Sahyadri Reaches Russia for INDRA-2026 Naval Exercise

Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri arrived in Vladivostok, Russia, on 10 October 2026, for the bilateral naval exercise INDRA-2026. The exercise is scheduled from 13 to 18 October and will involve the Indian Navy and the Russian Federation Navy (RuFN), including Russia’s Pacific Fleet.

Exercise Profile

INDRA-2026 will have a harbour phase in Vladivostok, followed by coordinated operational activities at sea, including drills in the Sea of Japan. The Russian Navy’s participating vessel is the corvette Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Tsydenzhapov. The exercise is intended to strengthen maritime cooperation, improve operational interoperability and support mutual understanding between the two navies. Harbour-phase activities provide for engagements alongside in port, while the sea phase involves coordinated activities at sea.

INS Sahyadri and Shivalik Class

INS Sahyadri is a Shivalik-class stealth multi-role frigate of the Indian Navy. The Shivalik class comprises INS Shivalik, INS Satpura and INS Sahyadri. These frigates were built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai, and INS Sahyadri was commissioned into the Indian Navy in 2012. A frigate is a surface combatant used for roles such as escort, surveillance and anti-submarine warfare. INS Sahyadri’s deployment to Russia forms part of the Indian Navy’s overseas operational engagements.

Maritime Setting and MAHASAGAR

Vladivostok is a Russian port city on the Pacific coast and a major base of Russia’s Pacific Fleet. The Sea of Japan is a marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean, bordered by Japan, the Russian Far East and the Korean Peninsula. The deployment aligns with India’s MAHASAGAR vision, whose full form is “Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions”. The engagement also follows the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, held in December 2025.

Important Facts for Exams

• INS Sahyadri belongs to the Shivalik class of Indian Navy frigates.
• Vladivostok is located on Russia’s Pacific coast.
• The Sea of Japan is part of the western Pacific Ocean.
• MAHASAGAR stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.

INDRA-2026 is a bilateral naval exercise involving the Indian Navy and the Russian Federation Navy. Its scheduled sea phase includes drills in the Sea of Japan.</numerusform