An eighteen member Russian Air Force team arrived today at Air Force Station Halwara in Punjab to participate in Phase II of the Indo-Russian bilateral exercise "AVIA-INDRA". Phase I of the exercise was held at Russia for two weeks during August-September 2014. .

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The Russian delegation is headed by Major General Alexander N Lyapkin and consists of Fighter and Helicopter aircrew as well as Air Defence crew among other members. Russian team will be in India up to 28 November 2014. .

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During the exercise, Russian aircrew would be flying the Su-30 MKI, Mi-17 & Mi-35 aircraft with the IAF, at Air Force Station Halwara. The joint exercise will further strengthen the relations between the two Air Forces taking forward the India - Russia strategic partnership. Commencement of this exercise also coincides with the visit of Commander-in-Chief of Russian Federation Air Force (RFAF), Colonel General Viktor Nikolaevich Bondarev, who called on Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha at Air Headquarters (Vayu Bhawan) today. .

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SKM/DP