Indian Navy frigate INS Sahyadri reaches Vladivostok for Exercise INDRA 2026 with Russia
The indigenously built stealth frigate INS Sahyadri has docked at Vladivostok for six days of coordinated maritime drills and tactical wargames.
What is happening in Vladivostok
Indian Navy stealth frigate INS Sahyadri has docked at Vladivostok to begin the 2026 edition of Exercise INDRA, the bilateral naval wargame conducted alongside the Russian Navy.
The six-day exercise, which runs from October 13 to 18 in Russian waters, brings personnel from both forces together for harbour-based professional exchanges, tactical maritime evolutions, and cultural interactions. The Ministry of Defence noted that the drills are designed to enhance operational coordination, mutual understanding, and interoperability between the two partner navies.
The deployment forms a key component of India's broader maritime footprint under its MAHASAGAR vision — standing for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions. Defence officials also linked the operational momentum directly to outcomes from the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit held in December 2025.
INS Sahyadri and recent INDRA editions
INS Sahyadri is the third vessel of the Shivalik-class guided-missile stealth frigates, designed and constructed in India and commissioned in 2012. The warship is equipped with multi-role weaponry and sensor suites built to detect and counter air, surface, and sub-surface threats.
The INDRA series has steadily expanded since its inception in 2003, evolving from regional naval drills into complex multi-domain engagements.
| Exercise Edition | Dates | Location | Key Assets Involved |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14th Edition | March 28 – April 2, 2025 | Chennai / Bay of Bengal | INS Rana, INS Kuthar, P-8I patrol aircraft, Russian ships Pechanga, Rezkiy, Aldar Tsydenzhapov |
| 2026 Edition | October 13 – 18, 2026 | Vladivostok, Russia | INS Sahyadri, Russian Navy vessels |
Strengthening strategic defence ties
Beyond maritime manoeuvres, the INDRA umbrella previously expanded into full tri-service exercises held in Russia in 2017 and across India in 2019, covering counter-terrorism, force protection, and joint command structures under United Nations mandates.
The exercises reflect a deep-rooted defence relationship coordinated through the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military Technical Cooperation. India's national defence capability continues to be bolstered by shared projects, including joint development of the BrahMos cruise missile, licensed domestic manufacturing of Su-30MKI fighter jets and T-90S main battle tanks, local production of AK-203 rifles, and operational integration of S-400 air defence systems.
Recent naval achievements under this partnership also include the commissioning of Russian-built stealth frigates INS Tushil and INS Tamal into the Indian Navy in December 2024 and July 2025.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| INDRA 2026 dates | October 13 to 18, 2026 | Ministry of Defence |
| INS Sahyadri arrival date at Vladivostok | October 10, 2026 | Ministry of Defence |
| INS Sahyadri commissioning year | 2012 | Indian Navy |
| INDRA exercise inception year | 2003 | Ministry of Defence |
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| Russian Navy | Host service branch conducting joint drills. |
| Vladivostok | Host port and location in Russia for Exercise INDRA 2026. |
| INS Sahyadri | Indigenously built Indian Navy stealth frigate deployed to Vladivostok. |
| Indian Navy | Participating service branch conducting joint drills. |
