The Indian Air Force (IAF) commenced hosting Exercise AviaIndra-2025 on December 15, 2025, with the Russian Federation Aerospace Force (RFASF), running through December 22 to strengthen bilateral defence ties and operational synergy. This iteration of the AviaIndra series, initiated in 2014, features joint flying on Su-30MKI fighters, indigenous Tejas, IL-78 refuellers, and Mi-17 helicopters, enabling sharing of best practices amid India’s self-reliance push. Following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s early December visit and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s talks with his counterpart, the drill reinforces enduring Indo-Russian partnership, countering regional challenges from the China-Pakistan axis while paving ways for collaborations in advanced fighters and missiles.