Trio of Indian Navy's First Training Squadron ships concludes visit

Three ships of the Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron (1TS), INS Tir, INS Sujata and ICGS Sarathi, set sail from Sri Lanka this morning, 29 October 2026, following a successful official visit and a joint Passage Exercise (PASSEX) in the western seas.

During their visit, the Indian crews and officer under-trainees engaged in professional exchange programmes, operational observation tours and friendly sports events organised by the Sri Lanka Navy, strengthening bilateral ties. Among the highlights were a joint beach cleanup drive and a combined performance by the musical bands of both navies. The visitors also toured several cultural and historical sites across the island.

Marking the culmination of the visit, the trio of ships participated in a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with SLNS Nandimithra and Fast Attack Craft P 492 of the Sri Lanka Navy, facilitating the exchange of seamless communication, navigation and operational interoperability between the naval forces.

Official visits and joint exercises of this nature aim to enhance interoperability, sharing of expertise and collective capacity to address shared maritime challenges in the Indian Ocean Region.