• The visit marks a milestone in the history of bilateral relations 

Six ships of the Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron and Her Majesty’s Ship (HMS) ‘Kent’ – a Type 23 Frigate serves in the Royal Navy were in Sri Lanka to take part in Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with Sri Lanka Navy.

The Indian ships are helmed by Capt. Aftab Ahmed Khan, Senior Officer of the First Training Squadron. The visit marks a milestone in the history of bilateral relations, where in for the first time such a large number of Indian Navy ships have visited Sri Lanka. The ships visiting the Port of Colombo are Landing Ship Tanker (Large) Magar & Shardul and Offshore Patrol Vessel INS Sujata, Sail Training Ships Sudarshini & Tarangini along with Indian Coast Guard Ship Vikram are visiting Trincomalee. A total of 75 x officers, 153 x officer cadets, 10 x NCC cadets and 530 x sailors form part of the visit. During their stay, a series of professional, training, cultural and sports interactions are scheduled between the ships’ crew and Sri Lanka Navy personnel. The ships would depart by October 28.
Meanwhile, Her Majesty’s Ship (HMS) ‘Kent’ – a Type 23 Frigate serves in the Royal Navy which arrived at the port of Colombo on 23rd October engaged in a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with Sri Lanka Navy off Colombo and left the island on 24th October 2021.

The ship which arrived in Colombo for replenishment was welcomed by Sri Lanka Navy in keeping with naval traditions. HMS ‘Kent’ is a 133 m long frigate manned by 219 crew members.