The SLINEX-26 naval exercise began at Visakhapatnam on Thursday, with the Indian Navy hosting the Sri Lanka Navy for the 13th edition of the bilateral maritime series. It runs until 21 September, according to the Navy, and opened with the Harbour Phase. The Sea Phase follows.

Three ships are taking part.

Ships in the SLINEX-26 naval exercise

INS Kavaratti, an indigenous anti-submarine warfare corvette of the Kamorta class, and the fleet tanker INS Jyoti represent the Indian Navy. SLNS Sindurala is the Sri Lanka Navy's participant. Kavaratti hosted the opening ceremony and a reception for the visiting Sindurala crew.

Harbour Phase under Eastern Naval Command

The Harbour Phase is being conducted under the aegis of the Eastern Naval Command. It includes professional interactions, cross-deck visits, sharing of best practices, Yoga, sports and cultural activities.


What the Sea Phase will cover

The Navy said the Sea Phase will focus on operational synergy and interoperability through coordinated activities at sea. Individual serials have not been listed yet, which is usual while an exercise is still in its harbour stage.

SLINEX since 2005

SLINEX was conceptualised in 2005. Over the years it has become a forum for maritime cooperation, interoperability and mutual understanding between the two Navies, and this is its 13th edition.

The exercise follows a busy stretch of India-Sri Lanka defence contact. INS Udaygiri called at Colombo for three days from 8 September during Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's visit, and Vice Adm Damian Fernando, Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, was in New Delhi in August, where he met the Indian Navy leadership.

SLINEX-26 within MAHASAGAR

The Navy has aligned the SLINEX-26 naval exercise with MAHASAGAR, India's vision for a secure, stable and inclusive maritime environment, and says it consolidates the enduring maritime partnership between India and Sri Lanka. MAHASAGAR stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions, the same framing that carried INS Mysore's arrival at Lumut for Samudra Laksamana with the Royal Malaysian Navy.