Sri Lanka & India flex naval muscle in sea phase of SLINEX-25

The sea phase of the twelfth edition of the Sri Lanka-India Naval Exercise (SLINEX-25) commenced today (17 Aug 25), in western waters off Colombo.

The sea phase features the participation of two Indian Navy vessels, the tanker-class INS Jyoti and the destroyer-class INS Rana, alongside SLNS Vijayabahu and SLNS Sayura of the Sri Lanka Navy. SLINEX is aimed at enhancing cooperation and fostering tactical interoperability between the two navies through a series of coordinated operational exercises.

Accordingly, the two days (17 and 18 August) of sea phase will encompass a wide range of maritime exercises including Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure, Screening Exercises, Flashing Exercises, Gunnery Exercises, Vertical Replenishment and Abeam/ Astern Fuelling Approaches.

The sea phase followed a successful harbour phase, held from 14 to 16 August at the Colombo Port, where operational teams engaged in briefings on communication and security protocols, exchange of best practices as well as training for aviation core team on helicopter operations with the Sri Lanka Air Force.

Additionally, the port phase included training exchanges, sports events, and yoga sessions, fostering camaraderie between the two navies. Schoolchildren were also given a unique opportunity to tour Indian Navy ships and observe their operations.

Exercise of this nature is expected to enhance maritime security cooperation, improve interoperability, and equip both navies with advanced skills to address shared maritime challenges in the Indian Ocean Region effectively.