Russia and India will hold joint naval, air exercises

Russia and India will hold joint naval and air exercises in mid-October, the Russian Defense Ministry said Monday.

The maneuvers, which will include ships from Russia's Pacific Fleet as well as airborne troops, will take place in the Pacific Ocean, the ITAR-Tass news agency quoted Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov as saying.

The maneuvers will follow joint exercises held by Russia and China last month, which some analysts said appeared to be aimed at demonstrating the capabilities of Russian military equipment.

Earlier this month, India's naval chief, Adm. Arun Prakash, said his country was considering purchasing naval surveillance and anti-submarine airplanes from Russia. India's maritime surveillance fleet currently has three Il-38s and eight Tu-142s, the AP reports.