Article Posted on : - Sep 19, 2011

A file photo of joint India-Sri Lanka naval exercise.

NEW DELHI/COLOMBO (BNS): The navies of India and Sri Lanka have begun a joint maritime exercise off the coast of Trincomalee in Eastern Sri Lanka on Monday.

The six-day long naval drill, code named “SLINEX II”, is aimed at enhancing interoperability of the two Navies, the Sri Lankan Defence Ministry said in a statement.

“The exercise has been paved the way for both Navies to share knowledge and experiences by rehearsing the concept of joint naval operations and to enhance own skills,” the Sri Lankan Navy said.

The large-scale maritime wargame will involve two offshore patrol vessels, one fast missile vessel and six fast attack craft of the Lankan Navy.

The Indian Navy will participate in the exercise with one destroyer, one frigate, one missile corvette, one landing ship tank and two fast attack craft along with one maritime patrol aircraft.

The exercise will conclude on September 24.