New Delhi, Oct 18 (UNI) The eighth edition of annual Indian and Sri Lankan Navies' bilateral maritime exercise SLINEX-20 is scheduled to be held off Trincomalee in Sri Lanka from Monday.
The Sri Lanka Navy will be represented by SLN Ships Sayura (Offshore Patrol Vessel) and Gajabahu (Training Ship), led by Rear Admiral Bandara Jayathilaka, the Flag Officer Commanding Naval Fleet, Sri Lanka Navy.
The indigenously-built ASW corvettes Kamorta and Kiltan, under the command of Rear Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, will represent the Indian Navy.
In addition, the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and Chetak helicopter embarked onboard the Indian Naval Ships and Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft will also participate from the Indian side.
The previous edition of SLINEX was conducted off Visakhapatnam in September, 2019.
SLINEX-20 aims to enhance inter-operability, improve mutual understanding and exchange best practices and procedures for multi-faceted maritime operations between the two Navies.
In addition, the exercise will also showcase capabilities of India's indigenously constructed naval ships and aircraft.
Surface and anti-air exercises, including weapon firing, seamanship evolutions, manoeuvres and cross deck flying operations are planned during the exercise, which will further enhance the high degree of inter-operability already established between the two friendly Navies.
SLINEX series of exercise exemplifies the deep engagement between India and Sri Lanka, which has strengthened mutual cooperation in the maritime domain.
The exercise is being conducted in a non-contact 'at-sea-only' format, in the backdrop of COVID-19 pandemic.
UNI ASH RJ 2040