SLINEX 2011 concludes

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE in Trincomalee

SLINEX 2011, the joint Indo-Sri Lanka naval exercise held in Trincomalee aimed at enhancing interoperability between the Indian and Sri Lankan navies concluded yesterday with the participation of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and Sri Lanka Navy Commander Vice Admiral Somathilaka Dissanayake. The joint Indo-Sri Lanka naval exercise, SLINEX 2011, commenced on September 19.

Indian navy ships participated in the exercise under the command of Rear Admiral HCS Bisht, the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet (FOCEF) of the Indian Navy while Commander Eastern Naval Area (COMEAST)Rear Admiral Jayanath Colombage was in overall command of the Sri Lanka navy. Ships, gun boats, fast attack craft, helicopters and aeroplanes were deployed by both navies for the exercise.

Five ships and six fast attack craft, were deployed by the Sri Lanka Navy while four ships, two fast attack craft assisted by an In Dornier Maritime patrol aircraft and three helicopters were deployed by the Indian navy.

The five-day exercise was held in four phases covering a harbour training programme at Tricomalee and a sea training programme in the seas off the eastern coast. SLINEX 2011 gave the opportunity for both navies to rehearse the concept of joint naval operations and enhance own skills. The exercise was structured to give maximum training value to participating Sri Lankan and Indian navies. Special presentations were taken on seamanship maneuvers, maritime interdiction operations, visit board search and seize, search and rescue operations, close range anti air-air firing, asymmetric threat exercise and helo operation.

Vice Admiral Dissanayake told the media that exercises is vital this nature for both navies. It was conducted encompassing surface and fleet air arm components to provide comprehensive exposure to conventional naval operations.