Visakhapatnam: Sri Lankan naval ships Sayura and Sagara entered Visakhapatnam harbour on Thursday to participate in the fifth edition of SLINEX-2017, a bi-lateral naval exercise between India and Sri Lanka, from September 7 to 14.

To take part in joint naval exercises

The exercise is being conducted in two phases, with the harbour phase from September 7 to 10 at Visakhapatnam and the sea phase from September 11 to 14 in the Bay of Bengal. Sri Lankan naval ships Sayura and Sagara are Indian built off-shore patrol vessels.

INS Gharial, an amphibious ship and INS Kora, a missile corvette and Chetak helicopter are participating from the Eastern Fleet.

The exercise will commence with a harbour phase, during which, the participants will engage in professional, cultural and social interactions. The sea phase will include complex operations including anti-piracy exercises, gun firings, cross-deck helicopter operations and anti-surface exercises.

SLINEX series of bilateral maritime exercises were initiated in 2005 has over the years has helped both Navies in understanding each other’s procedures and enhanced inter-operability.

The benefits of operational interactions under the aegis of SLINEX are clearly visible as both the Navies have an improved and steadfast understanding. SLINEX-17 will further enhance the capability of the two navies to work together at sea and contribute towards maritime security in the region.