NEW DELHI, July 8 (Xinhua) -- Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Birender Singh Dhanoa will be visiting Russia from July 9-12 to further strengthen the defence cooperation between the two countries, an official statement said on Monday.

"The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) is scheduled to visit various operational and training units as well as fly a sortie in the Russian Trainer aircraft YAK-130. He will interact with senior functionaries of the Russian armed forces amongst others," it said.

The visit will further strengthen the bilateral relationship and enable engagement in productive exchanges between the Air Forces of both countries.