The five-day annual Indian Navy (IN) – Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) bilateral maritime exercise SLINEX-2025 is scheduled to commence, in Colombo, tomorrow (14). The exercise will be conducted in two phases; the Harbour Phase at Colombo, from 14-16 August, 2025, followed by Sea Phase, from 17-18 August, 2025, off Colombo.
The exercise is the first since the signing of the controversial MoU on Defence Cooperation agreement in April this year
The Indian HC said that IN will be represented by Fleet Tanker INS Jyoti and Destroyer INS Rana (Destroyer) whist Sri Lanka Navy will have SLNS Vijayabahu (Advance Offshore Patrol Vessel) and SLNS Sayura (OPV). In addition, Sri Lanka Air Force BEL 412 helicopters would also participate in the exercise. The exercise will also have the Special Forces of the two Navies undertake the IN-SLN SF exercise. The previous edition of SLINEX was conducted in Visakhapatnam, from 17-20 December, 2024. This is the 12th edition.
SLINEX-2025 aims to enhance inter-operability, improve mutual understanding and exchange best practices/ procedures in multi-faceted Maritime operations between both Navies.