The 12th edition of the annual Indian Navy (IN)–Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) bilateral maritime exercise ‘Sri Lanka–India Exercise’ (SLINEX 2025) was conducted in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from 14 to 18 August 2025.
- The exercise is being conducted in two phases: the Harbour Phase (from August 14 to 16) at Colombo, followed by the Sea Phase (from August 17 to 18) off the coast of Colombo.
Exam Hints:
- Event: SLINEX 2025 (Indian Navy – Sri Lanka Navy Annual Exercise)
- Edition: 12th
- When: 14–18 August 2025
- Where:Â Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Phases: Harbour Phase and Sea Phase
- Participating Naval Assets: INS Jyoti, INS Rana, SLNS Gajabahu & Vijayabahu , SLNS Sayura
- Conceptualised: 2005
- Significance: Supports India’s MAHASAGAR policy
Background:
SLINEX: It is a bilateral naval exercise between India and Sri Lanka, first conceptualised in 2005 to enhance maritime cooperation, interoperability, and mutual naval capabilities.
Previous Edition:The previous edition of SLINEX was conducted at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh(AP), from 17 to 20 December 2024.
About SLINEX 2025:
Aim: SLINEX 2025, hosted by the SLN, aims to deepen maritime cooperation, build mutual trust, and enhance tactical interoperability of the multi-faceted maritime operations between the two forces.
Focus:The exercise focuses on coordinated operational drills to address security challenges in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
- It includes conventional threats and non-traditional maritime challenges such as piracy, smuggling, and illegal fishing.
Significance: It represents the deep maritime engagement between India and Sri Lanka, supporting India’s MAHASAGAR policy (Mutual And Holistic Advancement for Security And Growth Across Regions).
Participating Naval Assets:
IN: Indian Naval Ship (INS) Jyoti (Fleet Tanker) and INS Rana (a Guided Missile Destroyer)
SLN: SLN Ship SLNS Gajabahu and Vijayabahu (both Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessels (AOPV)) and SLNS Sayura (Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV))
Additional Participants: Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) BEL 412 helicopters and Special Forces from both navies.
Phases of the Exercise:
i.The Harbour Phase includes professional interactions and Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE), sharing best practices, cultural programs, yoga sessions, and sports events.
ii.The Sea Phase includes exercises in multiple dimensions like surface firing, tactical manoeuvres, helicopter operations including cross-deck flying, Search and Rescue (SAR), and Special Forces (SF) operations at sea.
- The naval drills during the Sea Phase include gunnery firing serials, communication protocols, navigation, seamanship evolutions, Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations, and fueling at sea.
About Sri Lanka:
Prime Minister (PM)- Dr. Harini Amarasuriya
Capital– Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte (governmental capital) ; Colombo (Commercial capital)
Currency– Sri Lankan Rupee​​(LKR)
