Indian ships in Colombo to take part in SLINEX -23

Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kiltan and INS Savitri arrived at the Colombo port today to take part in Sri Lanka–India Naval Exercise (SLINEX) -23. 

The 10th Edition of the annual Indian Navy–Sri Lanka Navy bilateral maritime Exercise SLINEX-2023 is scheduled in Colombo from 3-8 April 2023. The Exercise is being conducted in two phases; the Harbour Phase in Colombo from 3-5 April followed by Sea Phase from 6-8 April, off Colombo. The Indian Navy will be represented by INS Kiltan (Advanced Anti Submarine Warfare Corvette) and INS Savitri (Offshore Patrol Vessel) while Sri Lanka Navy will have SLNS Gajabahu (Advance Offshore Patrol Vessel) and SLNS Sagara (OPV). In addition, the Indian Navy Chetak helicopter and Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft along with Sri Lanka Air Force Dornier and BEL 412 helicopters would also participate in the Exercise. The Exercise will also feature the Special Forces of the two Navies. The previous edition of SLINEX was conducted in Visakhapatnam from 7-12 March 2022.

INS Kiltan is a Corvette commanded by Commander Arjit Pande and INS Savitri is an Offshore Patrol Vessel commanded by Commander Vikas Phogat. Both Commanding Officers of the visiting ships called on Commander Western Naval Area Rear Admiral Suresh De Silva at the Western Naval Headquarters today. The cordial discussion drew to a close with an exchange of mementoes.

SLINEX -23 is augmented by the Offshore Patrol Vessel SLNS Samudura and SLNS Vijayabahu from the Sri Lanka Navy as well as a Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft and Bell 412 helicopter of the Sri Lanka Air Force. In addition, INS Kiltan, INS Savitri, a Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft and Chetak helicopter of the Indian Navy will join the maritime exercise. The opening ceremony of SLINEX -23 was held on board SLNS Vijayabahu under the auspices of the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy Rear Admiral Jayantha Kularatne this morning. A host of senior officers from both Sri Lanka and India was also present on this occasion.

SLINEX -23 also includes Gunnery Exercises (GUNEX), Search and Rescue Exercises (SAREX), Screen Exercise (SCREENEX), Replenishment at Sea (RAS) Approaches, Abeam Fuelling Approaches, Visit Board Search & Seizure (VBSS) Exercises, Photo Exercises (PHOTOEX), Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP) and Search and Rescue Exercises by Helo.

SLINEX-2023 aims to enhance interoperability, improve mutual understanding and exchange best practices/ procedures in multi-faceted Maritime operations between both Navies.