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Initiated in 2005, SLINEX has become a cornerstone of maritime cooperation between the two nations
The annual bilateral naval exercise SLINEX-24 (Sri Lanka-India Naval Exercise) commenced on December 17, 2024, at Visakhapatnam under the aegis of the Eastern Naval Command. This significant maritime collaboration between India and Sri Lanka will run from December 17 to December 20, featuring two distinct phases: the Harbour Phase and the Sea Phase.
Initiated in 2005, SLINEX has become a cornerstone of maritime cooperation between the two nations, aimed at enhancing interoperability, fostering mutual understanding, and promoting maritime security in the Indian Ocean region.
Participating Units
India: Indian Naval Ship INS Sumitra, a Saryu-class Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel (NOPV) of the Eastern Fleet, accompanied by a Special Forces team.
Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka Naval Ship SLNS Sayura, an Offshore Patrol Vessel, also equipped with an embarked Special Forces team.
Exercise Structure
SLINEX-24 will unfold in two phases:
Harbour Phase (December 17-18): This phase focuses on strengthening professional and cultural ties through interactions, cross-training sessions, and joint planning activities. Social exchanges, including sporting events and cultural programs, will further deepen the camaraderie between the two navies.
Sea Phase (December 19-20): The practical component of SLINEX-24 will involve complex maritime drills designed to bolster coordination and operational synergy. Key activities during the Sea Phase include:
Special Forces Operations
Gun Firing Drills
Communication and Seamanship Practices
Navigation Evolutions
Helicopter Operations
The timing of SLINEX-24 holds particular significance as it coincided with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s visit to India. His visit has emphasized enhanced security cooperation, with a strong assertion that Sri Lanka's territory will not be used for anti-India activities. This statement addresses growing concerns about increasing Chinese military presence in the Indian Ocean, including visits from Chinese warships and submarines.
President Dissanayake’s meetings with Indian leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, have reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to working with India to maintain peace and security in the region. The joint naval exercise aligns with these shared strategic priorities.
The INS Sumitra, the Indian Navy’s fourth and last Saryu-class patrol vessel, is playing a central role in SLINEX-24. Designed and constructed by Goa Shipyard Limited, INS Sumitra is a versatile asset equipped to undertake fleet support operations, offshore patrolling, ocean surveillance, and monitoring of sea lines of communication (SLOCs). Notably, it also serves as the Presidential Yacht of India.
India's Expanding Maritime Engagements
SLINEX-24 comes at a time when India is expanding its maritime engagements in the Indian Ocean region. Alongside the SLINEX series, India is conducting joint maritime initiatives with other regional partners, including the Maldives. For instance, on December 15, two Indian Coast Guard ships, ICGS Vaibhav and ICGS Abhiraj, docked at Male Port for a four-day engagement with the Maldives National Defence Force Coast Guard (MNDF CG). This highlights India’s multi-faceted approach to regional maritime security.
India’s efforts aim to secure vital sea lanes of communication, prevent maritime threats such as piracy and trafficking, and foster regional stability.
Over the years, SLINEX has grown in scope and complexity, reflecting the evolving security dynamics of the Indian Ocean. The 2024 edition is expected to further consolidate the maritime partnership between India and Sri Lanka while addressing shared challenges such as illegal activities at sea, maritime terrorism, and natural disaster response.
Both India and Sri Lanka recognise the importance of collaborative approaches to regional challenges. Exercises like SLINEX-24 not only enhance the operational capabilities of the participating navies but also demonstrate a shared vision for a peaceful, stable, and secure maritime domain.
As SLINEX-24 progresses, it will continue to underscore the enduring bond between India and Sri Lanka, paving the way for deeper security cooperation and mutual growth in the maritime domain. With the combined participation of INS Sumitra and SLNS Sayura, the exercise reflects the unwavering commitment of both nations to safeguarding maritime interests in the Indian Ocean region.
Initiated in 2005, SLINEX has become a cornerstone of maritime cooperation between the two nations, aimed at enhancing interoperability, fostering mutual understanding, and promoting maritime security in the Indian Ocean region.
Participating Units
India: Indian Naval Ship INS Sumitra, a Saryu-class Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel (NOPV) of the Eastern Fleet, accompanied by a Special Forces team.
Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka Naval Ship SLNS Sayura, an Offshore Patrol Vessel, also equipped with an embarked Special Forces team.
Exercise Structure
SLINEX-24 will unfold in two phases:
Harbour Phase (December 17-18): This phase focuses on strengthening professional and cultural ties through interactions, cross-training sessions, and joint planning activities. Social exchanges, including sporting events and cultural programs, will further deepen the camaraderie between the two navies.
Sea Phase (December 19-20): The practical component of SLINEX-24 will involve complex maritime drills designed to bolster coordination and operational synergy. Key activities during the Sea Phase include:
Special Forces Operations
Gun Firing Drills
Communication and Seamanship Practices
Navigation Evolutions
Helicopter Operations
The timing of SLINEX-24 holds particular significance as it coincided with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s visit to India. His visit has emphasized enhanced security cooperation, with a strong assertion that Sri Lanka's territory will not be used for anti-India activities. This statement addresses growing concerns about increasing Chinese military presence in the Indian Ocean, including visits from Chinese warships and submarines.
President Dissanayake’s meetings with Indian leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, have reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to working with India to maintain peace and security in the region. The joint naval exercise aligns with these shared strategic priorities.
The INS Sumitra, the Indian Navy’s fourth and last Saryu-class patrol vessel, is playing a central role in SLINEX-24. Designed and constructed by Goa Shipyard Limited, INS Sumitra is a versatile asset equipped to undertake fleet support operations, offshore patrolling, ocean surveillance, and monitoring of sea lines of communication (SLOCs). Notably, it also serves as the Presidential Yacht of India.
India's Expanding Maritime Engagements
SLINEX-24 comes at a time when India is expanding its maritime engagements in the Indian Ocean region. Alongside the SLINEX series, India is conducting joint maritime initiatives with other regional partners, including the Maldives. For instance, on December 15, two Indian Coast Guard ships, ICGS Vaibhav and ICGS Abhiraj, docked at Male Port for a four-day engagement with the Maldives National Defence Force Coast Guard (MNDF CG). This highlights India’s multi-faceted approach to regional maritime security.
India’s efforts aim to secure vital sea lanes of communication, prevent maritime threats such as piracy and trafficking, and foster regional stability.
Over the years, SLINEX has grown in scope and complexity, reflecting the evolving security dynamics of the Indian Ocean. The 2024 edition is expected to further consolidate the maritime partnership between India and Sri Lanka while addressing shared challenges such as illegal activities at sea, maritime terrorism, and natural disaster response.
Both India and Sri Lanka recognise the importance of collaborative approaches to regional challenges. Exercises like SLINEX-24 not only enhance the operational capabilities of the participating navies but also demonstrate a shared vision for a peaceful, stable, and secure maritime domain.
As SLINEX-24 progresses, it will continue to underscore the enduring bond between India and Sri Lanka, paving the way for deeper security cooperation and mutual growth in the maritime domain. With the combined participation of INS Sumitra and SLNS Sayura, the exercise reflects the unwavering commitment of both nations to safeguarding maritime interests in the Indian Ocean region.
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