Sri Lanka-India Bilateral Maritime Exercise SLINEX Begins

The ninth edition of India-Sri Lanka Bilateral Maritime Exercise SLINEX (Sri Lanka–India Naval Exercise) is scheduled at Visakhapatnam from 7 March to 10 March 2022. The exercise is being conducted in two phases; the Harbour Phase at Visakhapatnam on 7-8 March 2022 followed by the Sea Phase on 9-10 March 2022 in the Bay of Bengal.

Sri Lanka Navy will be represented by SLNS Sayurala, an advanced offshore patrol vessel and the Indian Navy by INS Kirch, a guided missile corvette. Other participants from the Indian Navy include INS Jyoti, a fleet support tanker, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), Seaking and Chetak Helicopters and Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft. The previous edition of SLINEX was conducted off Trincomalee in October 2020.

SLINEX aims to enhance inter-operability, improve mutual understanding, and exchange best practices and procedures for multi-faceted maritime operations between both navies. The Harbour Phase would include professional, cultural, sporting, and social exchanges. Exercises during Sea Phase will include surface and anti-air weapon firing exercises, seamanship evolutions, aviation operations including cross deck flying, advanced tactical manoeuvres and special forces operations at sea. These will further enhance the high degree of inter-operability already existing between the two navies.

Indian Navy commented, “SLINEX exemplifies the deep maritime engagement between India and Sri Lanka and has grown in scope over the years to strengthen mutual-cooperation, in consonance with India’s policy of ‘Neighbourhood First’ and PM’s vision of ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)’.”