Colombo, August 12, 2025 – The 12th edition of the annual Indian Navy (IN) – Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) bilateral maritime exercise, SLINEX-2025, is scheduled to take place in Colombo from August 14-18, 2025. This exercise underscores the deepening maritime cooperation between India and Sri Lanka, aligning with India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).’ Amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific and increasing Chinese naval presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), SLINEX-2025 aims to strengthen interoperability and mutual trust between the two navies, ensuring regional stability and security.
The exercise will unfold in two phases: the Harbour Phase from August 14-16 in Colombo, followed by the Sea Phase from August 17-18 off Colombo’s coast. The Indian Navy will deploy INS Jyoti, a fleet tanker, and INS Rana, a destroyer, while the Sri Lanka Navy will field SLNS Vijayabahu, an advanced offshore patrol vessel, and SLNS Sayura, an offshore patrol vessel. Sri Lanka Air Force BEL 412 helicopters will also participate, alongside special forces from both navies conducting a joint IN-SLN Special Forces exercise.SLINEX-2025 is designed to enhance interoperability, foster mutual understanding, and facilitate the exchange of best practices in multifaceted maritime operations. The Harbour Phase will feature sports events, yoga sessions, and cultural activities, promoting camaraderie and reinforcing shared values among personnel. Key training activities include subject matter expert (SME) interactions and sessions at the HARD simulator. The Sea Phase will involve complex exercises such as surface firing, tactical maneuvers, seamanship evolutions, helicopter operations including cross-deck flying, search and rescue missions, and special forces operations at sea.
These activities aim to bolster the already robust interoperability between the two navies.The opening ceremony will see participation from Rear Admiral B Liyanagamage, Director General Operations of the Sri Lanka Navy, Captain Chetan R Upadhayaya (INS Jyoti), Captain KP Sreesan (INS Rana), and Captain Anand Mukundan, Defence Adviser at the High Commission of India. This high-level engagement reflects the strategic importance of the exercise.
The exercise comes at a critical time as the IOR faces growing maritime security challenges, including piracy, illegal fishing, and strategic competition. Recent Chinese naval activities near Sri Lanka, including port visits by research vessels, have raised concerns in New Delhi, making SLINEX-2025 vital for reinforcing India-Sri Lanka maritime collaboration. Additionally, the Indian Navy’s prior deployment of a Dornier maritime patrol aircraft to Sri Lanka, which enhanced the island nation’s surveillance capabilities over the past three years, underscores India’s commitment to supporting its neighbor. INS Rana’s recent stop in Trincomalee on August 11 to de-induct Dornier ground support equipment further highlights this cooperation.