SLINEX-19 commences in Vizag

Visakhapatnam: The seventh edition of the bilateral maritime exercise between Sri Lanka–India, 'SLINEX 2019' commenced at Headquarters Eastern Fleet headquarters here.

The opening ceremony was co-chaired by Rear Admiral Puneet Chadha, Chief Staff Officer (Ops) HQENC and Rear Admiral AUC De Silva, Flag Officer Commanding Naval Fleet (FOCNF) of the Sri Lankan Navy (SLN) and was attended by Commanding Officers and Ops teams from all participating ships.

As part of the harbour phase, professional interaction between Indian Navy and SLN personnel on various topics including Asymmetric Warfare, Ship-borne Helo Ops and Mine Countermeasures were discussed. Trainee officers from SLN Ships Sindhurala and Suranimala visited INS Khukri and INS Sumedha as a part of cross deck visit.

The trainees were given a guided tour of the ships. Later, SLN trainee officers undertook simulated maneuvers on the Ship Handling Simulator at MWC (V). With an aim to share best practices, Sri Lanka navy personnel visited INS Dega and INS Khukri where they were briefed on Helo Operations from the Naval Air Station and Shipborne Helicopter Operations.

SLN personnel also visited INS Vishwakarma where they participated in Fire Fighting and Damage Control training in the DC Simulator 'Avijit'. A reception was also hosted onboard INS Sumedha and INS Khukri in honour of the visiting SLN ships.

Austin Fernando, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India was the Guest of Honour and attended by Rear Admiral AUC De Silva, FOCNF (SLN), Commanding Officers and Officers of the participating ships.