• The exercise aims to enhance bilateral defence cooperation, improve mutual understanding, and strengthen aerospace operational synergy.

• What? Bilateral Air Exercise AviaIndra-2025
• Participants: Indian Air Force (IAF) and Russian Federation Aerospace Force (RFASF)
• Host: New Delhi, Delhi, India
• When? 15th December to 22nd December 2025
• Key Aircraft: Su-30 MKI, Tejas, IL-78, Mi-17.
• 1st edition: 2014

About Exercise AviaIndra-2025:
Strategic Ties: The exercise reflects the long-standing, trust-based defence partnership between India and Russia and reinforces continued military engagement.
Participating Assets: The drills involve Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighters, indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, IL-78 aerial refuellers, and Mil Mi-17 helicopters operating in an integrated manner.
Operational Scope: Joint missions include air superiority tasks, coordinated aerial manoeuvres, tactical planning, and exchange of best practices.
Technology Focus: India and Russia emphasized collaboration in niche military technologies and indigenous capability development under initiatives like Make in India.
Background: The AviaIndra series, launched in 2014, is a biennial India–Russia air exercise focused on joint flying operations and operational coordination.
Previous editions: Exercise AviaIndra was conducted in two phases, with Phase I held in Russia and Phase II in India for both the 2014 and 2018 editions.
Disruptions: The AviaIndra exercise was interrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020–2021 and later saw a prolonged pause following the outbreak of the Russia–Ukraine conflict in 2022–2024.
About Indian Air Force (IAF):
Chief of the Air Staff (CAS)- Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Established – 1950