INS Kiltan and INS Savitri arrive in Colombo to take part in SLINEX -23

Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kiltan and INS Savitri arrived at the port of Colombo this morning (03rd April 2023) to take part in the Sri Lanka–India Naval Exercise (SLINEX) -23. SLINEX which is an annual maritime exercise between Sri Lanka and India, is scheduled to be held in Colombo from 03rd to 08th April.

INS Kiltan is a Corvette commanded by Commander Arjit Pande and INS Savitri is an Offshore Patrol Vessel commanded by Commander Vikas Phogat. Both Commanding Officers of the visiting ships called on Commander Western Naval Area Rear Admiral Suresh De Silva at the Western Naval Headquarters today. The cordial discussion drew to a close with an exchange of mementoes.

SLINEX -23 is augmented by the Offshore Patrol Vessel SLNS Samudura and SLNS Vijayabahu from the Sri Lanka Navy as well as a Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft and Bell 412 helicopter of the Sri Lanka Air Force. In addition, INS Kiltan, INS Savitri, a Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft and Chetak helicopter of the Indian Navy will join the maritime exercise. The opening ceremony of SLINEX -23 was held on board SLNS Vijayabahu under the auspices of the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy Rear Admiral Jayantha Kularatne this morning. A host of senior officers from both Sri Lanka and India was also present on this occasion.

The harbour phase of the exercise will be held from 03rd to 05th April at the port of Colombo and the sea phase is scheduled to be held off Colombo from 06th to 08th April. SLINEX -23 also includes Gunnery Exercises (GUNEX), Search and Rescue Exercises (SAREX), Screen Exercise (SCREENEX), Replenishment at Sea (RAS) Approaches, Abeam Fuelling Approaches, Visit Board Search & Seizure (VBSS) Exercises, Photo Exercises (PHOTOEX), Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP) and Search and Rescue Exercises by Helo.

Apart from that, the Sri Lanka Navy has organized cultural exchange programmes, friendly sports events and Yoga exercises which will be participated by personnel from both Sri Lanka and Indian navies. On the sidelines, the crew members of INS Kiltan and INS Savitri will visit some of the major tourist attractions in the country.

Deputy High Commissioner and diplomats of the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka, Deputy Chief of Staff and Director General Operations Rear Admiral Pradeep Rathnayake, Commander Western Naval Area Rear Admiral Suresh De Silva, senior officers from the Navy Headquarters and Western Naval Command, Commanding Officers of INS Kiltan, INS Savitri, SLNS Samudura and SLNS Vijayabahu and a group of senior officers of the Sri Lanka Air Force attended the occasion.