Indian Navy and Sri Lankan Navy have joined hands for conducting a joint naval exercise from 7 to 14 September in Vizag. The bilateral exercise is the 5th edition of SLINEX, a united inter-operatability exercise to strengthen navy powers of the two nations. Indian Navy has welcomed the arrival of Sri Lankan warships, Sayura and Sagara in the Vizag harbor for this. The Indian Navy ships, INS Gharial and INS Kora are participating along with a Chetak helicopter from Eastern Naval Command. The two Sri Lankan ships are Indian built, off-shore patrolling vessels. The Indian warships are amphibious and missile corvette respectively.
2 Phase Naval Exercises:
The SLINEX naval exercise will be conducted in two phases i.e Harbour Phase from 7 – 10 September which is to be conducted in Vizag. Hereby, the participants will engage in professional, cultural and social interactions.
The second phase i.e Sea Phase from 10 – 14 September will be conducted in Bay of Bengal. This stage will include complex operations including anti-piracy exercises, gun firings, cross-deck helicopter operations and anti-surface exercises.
The SLINEX naval exercises were initiated in 2005 and have proved extremely beneficial for both naval powers. A familiarity of each others procedure is desirable and a better interaction and understanding is brought out. This will ensure better and more streamlines operations at sea. The common goal of both neighboring countries being maritime security.
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