India, Sri Lanka navies to hold SLINEX-2025

The 12th edition of the annual India-Sri Lanka bilateral maritime exercise SLINEX-2025 is scheduled to be held in Colombo from 14 to 18 August 2025. The exercise will be conducted in two phases: a Harbour Phase from 14 to 16 August, followed by a Sea Phase from 17 to 18 August off the coast of Colombo.

The Indian Navy will be represented by INS Jyoti, a fleet tanker, and INS Rana, a guided-missile destroyer. The Sri Lanka Navy will deploy SLNS Vijayabahu, an advanced offshore patrol vessel, and SLNS Sayura, an offshore patrol vessel. In addition, Sri Lanka Air Force's BEL 412 helicopters will participate in the exercise, along with Special Forces units from both navies for joint operations.

The Harbour Phase will include professional interactions, SME exchanges, training at the HARD simulator, and cultural and sports activities such as yoga sessions and friendly fixtures. These engagements aim to strengthen professional ties and foster camaraderie between personnel of both navies.

The Sea Phase will feature multi-dimensional maritime exercises, including surface firing, tactical manoeuvres, seamanship evolutions, helicopter operations with cross-deck flying, search and rescue drills, and Special Forces operations at sea—all designed to enhance interoperability and operational synergy between the two navies.

The opening ceremony of SLINEX-2025 will see participation from Rear Admiral B. Liyanagamage, Director General Operations of the Sri Lanka Navy; Captain Chetan R. Upadhayaya, Commanding Officer of INS Jyoti; Captain K.P. Sreesan, Commanding Officer of INS Rana; and Captain Anand Mukundan, Defence Adviser at the High Commission of India in Colombo.

The previous edition of SLINEX was held in Visakhapatnam from 17 to 20 December 2024. SLINEX reflects the robust bilateral maritime cooperation between India and Sri Lanka and aligns with India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and the vision of ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).’

INS Rana recently docked at Trincomalee on 11 August to de-induct Dornier ground support equipment and spares, following the completion of a Dornier maritime patrol aircraft deployment to Sri Lanka that significantly enhanced the island nation’s maritime surveillance capabilities over the past three years.