LIPETSK, August 29. /ITAR-TASS/. Joint Russo-Indian exercisys "Aviaindra-2014" begin in Russia on Friday. An active phase of the aerial maneuvers will be held in Voronezh at the Pogonovo range and in Astrakhan Region at the Ashuluk training range, Colonel Igor Klimov, spokesman of Russia's Air Force, told journalists.

Colonel General Viktor Bondarev, Commander-in-Chief of Russia's Air Force, is expected to attene a ceremony marking the start of the exercises in Lipetsk.

"Russo-Indian crews manning the aircraft Su-30SM, helicopters Mi-35 and Mi-8 are to make joint flights with firing at ground targets, and drill the refuelling of Su-30SM aircraft in mid-air by the tanker plane Il-78," Klimov said.

He pointed out that, beginning from August 25, Indian air pilots at the Lipetsk-based aviation center studied the areas of the forthcoming flights and practiced piloting skills on modern training facilities while air defense specialists have been familiarizing themselvs with anti-aircraft missile systems at the training center of anti-aircraft missile troops at Gatchina.

The Russian Air Force spokesman said, "Besides, joint air defense crews at Ashuluk military range will repulse a strike by a simulated enemy with field firings of anti-aircraft missile systems S-400, S-300, "Buk-M1", and anti-aircraft missile-and-gun system Pantsir-S1." The purpose of the exercises will be to train joint Russo-Indian crews in accomplishing various function tasks.

The exercises will continue until September 5.