India, SL maritime exercise ‘SLINEX-20’ held

India, SL maritime exercise ‘SLINEX-20’ held

The Eighth Edition of annual Indian Navy (IN) – Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) bilateral maritime exercise SLINEX-20 was conducted off Trincomalee from October 19 to 21, a press release issued by the High Commission of India in Colombo said.

The Sri Lanka Navy was represented by SLN Ships Sayura (Offshore Patrol Vessel) and Gajabahu (Training Ship) led by Rear Admiral Bandara Jayathilaka, the Flag Officer Commanding Naval Fleet, Sri Lanka Navy. Indigenously built ASW corvettes Kamorta and Kiltan under the command of Rear Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet represented the Indian Navy. In addition, Indian Navy Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and Chetak helicopter embarked onboard IN ships, and Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft also participated. The previous edition of SLINEX was conducted off Visakhapatnam in September 2019.

SLINEX-20 aimed at enhancing inter-operability, improving mutual understanding and exchanging best practices and procedures for multi-faceted maritime operations between both navies. In addition, the exercise showcased capabilities of our indigenously constructed naval ships and aircraft. Surface and anti-air exercises including weapon firing, seamanship evolutions, manoeuvres and cross deck flying operations which were included in the exercise, further enhanced the high degree of inter-operability already established between the two friendly navies.

SLINEX series of exercise exemplifies the deep engagement between India and Sri Lanka which has strengthened mutual cooperation in the maritime domain. Interaction between the SLN and IN has also grown significantly in recent years, in consonance with India’s policy of ‘Neighbourhood First’ and Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Security and Growth for all in the Region (SAGAR)’.

Synergy developed during SLINEX exercises resulted in seamless coordination of joint SLN – IN efforts in September 2020 to render assistance to MT New Diamond, a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC), which had caught fire off the East Coast of Sri Lanka. The exercise was conducted in a non-contact ‘at-sea-only’ format in the backdrop of COVID-19 pandemic.