SLINEX – The Indo-Lankan Joint Naval Exercise

Hello, Warriors! The Indian and Sri Lankan Navies undertook the 4^th edition of Sri Lanka-India Exercise (SLINEX) off the Trincomalee coast in Sri Lanka from 27^th October to 1^st November 2015.

Here’s what you should know about it:

1. SLINEX series of bilateral maritime exercises were initiated in 2005 and since then three successful engagements have been conducted.
2. This exercise was paused till 2011 due to security situation in Sri-Lanka. The third exercise in the series, SLINEX-13 was conducted off Goa in November 2013.
3. SLINEX is aimed to develop greater interoperability and rekindle close cooperation between the two navies.
4. Indian Naval Ships missile corvettes Kora, Kirpan and Offshore Patrol Vessel Savitri along with ship-borne integral helicopters participated in the exercise including an Indian Naval maritime reconnaissance aircraft.
5. Sayura, Samudra, Sagara, six Fast Attack Crafts, two Fast Gun Boats and one Fast Missile Vessel represented the Sri Lankan Navy.
6. The exercise was commenced with a Harbour Phase, during which, the participants engaged in professional, cultural and social interactions.
7. The Harbour Phase was followed by the Sea Phase, which commenced on 30^th October and included complex operations including anti-piracy exercises, gun firings, cross-deck helicopter operations and anti-surface exercises.
8. In the past, India has imparted training to Sri Lankan personnel by providing specialized naval courses in gunnery, navigation, communication and anti-submarine warfare.
9. India has also trained thousands of Sri Lankan personnel at its military institutions ranging from Counter-insurgency and Jungle Warfare School at Vairengte (Mizoram) to School of Artillery at Devlali (Maharashtra). The premier Indian Military Academy at Dehradun has even run special courses to train hundreds of gentlemen cadets from Sri Lanka.

The benefits of operational interactions under SLINEX were clearly visible as both the Navies today have an improved and steadfast understanding between each other. SLINEX 15 will further enhance the capability of the two navies to work together at sea and contribute towards maritime security in the region.