SLINEX-20: India- Sri Lanka Naval Maritime Exercise | 19 Oct 2020

Why in News

The 8^th edition of annual India – Sri Lanka bilateral naval maritime exercise, SLINEX-20 will be held at Trincomalee, Sri Lanka from 19 to 21 October 2020.

• The 7^th edition of SLINEX was conducted off Visakhapatnam in September 2019. SLINEX series of bilateral maritime exercises were initiated in 2005.

Key Points

• Aim:
  
  • SLINEX aims to enhance interoperability, improve mutual understanding and exchange best practices and procedures for multi-faceted maritime operations between both navies.
  • It exemplifies the deep engagement between India and Sri Lanka which has strengthened mutual cooperation in the maritime domain.
• The 2020 Exercise:
  
  • In SLINEX-20, the Indian Navy will be represented by Indigenously built ASW corvette Kamorta and Kiltanunder.
    
    • Indian Navy Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and Chetak helicopters and Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft will also be participating.
  • The Sri Lanka Navy will be represented by SLN Ships Sayura (Offshore Patrol Vessel) and Gajabahu (Training Ship).
  • The maritime 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 interoperability already established between the two friendly navies.
• Covid Impact:
  
  • The exercise is being conducted in a non-contact ‘at-sea-only’ format in the backdrop of Covid-19 pandemic.
• Outcome:
  
  • The exercise plays a significant role in strengthening bilateral ties and also reiterating India’s policy of ‘Neighbourhood First’ and‘Security and Growth for all in the Region (SAGAR)’.

Source: PIB