CARAT -2026 gains momentum in Eastern Sea

The bilateral CARAT (Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training) exercise between the Sri Lanka Navy and the United States Navy shifted into high gear off the Eastern Seaboard, transitioning from ceremonial opening to intense operational execution.

The exercise panned out from 27 to 30 July, has facilitated a series of Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs) aimed at building capacity and sharing best practices across multiple domains. These included Cyber Security, Medical Operations, Diving and Salvage, Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS), Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA).

Adding a unique dimension to the collaboration, the exercise also featured a Snake Handling Demonstration, where specialized personnel exchanged knowledge on venomous snake identification and safe handling.

The heart of CARAT- 2026 lied in the Sea Phase, which has moved beyond basic formation sailing into advanced tactical operations and a wide range of maritime operation drills. The series of training activities in CARAT -2026 involved the Sri Lanka Navy, Navy Marines, Naval Infantry, the Sri Lanka Air Force, and the United States Marine Corps.