Indian naval vessels INS Rana and INS Jyoti are in Colombo for SLINEX‑25 (14–18 Aug 2025), strengthening maritime interoperability and cooperation with Sri Lanka.
Overview
Indian naval ships INS Rana and INS Jyoti arrived in Colombo for SLINEX‑25, a bilateral naval exercise between India and Sri Lanka, held from 14 to 18 August 2025. This exercise aims to enhance maritime cooperation and interoperability between the two nations.
Exercise Details
Phase Structure
- Harbour Phase: 14–16 Aug 2025 in Colombo
- Sea Phase: 17–18 Aug 2025 in adjacent waters
Participants
- Indian Navy: INS Rana (Guided Missile Destroyer), INS Jyoti (Fleet Tanker)
- Sri Lanka Navy: SLNS Gajabahu, SLNS Vijayabahu (Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessels)
- Special Forces: From both navies
- Additional Assets: Sri Lanka Air Force BEL 412 helicopters
Activities
Harbour Phase Activities
The harbour phase includes professional interaction, subject matter expert exchanges, cultural engagements, and sports activities to strengthen bonds between the participating navies.
Sea Phase Activities
The sea phase involves various operational drills such as gunnery firing, communication exercises, navigation drills, and Visit‑Board‑Search‑Seizure (VBSS) operations to enhance tactical synergy for joint maritime operations.
Significance & Strategic Context
SLINEX‑25 aligns with India’s MAHASAGAR policy, emphasizing regional maritime security and cooperation. The exercise aims to build trust, operational synergy, and shared maritime capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) to address common security challenges collectively.
Key Takeaways for Competitive Exams
- SLINEX‑25: Bilateral naval exercise between India and Sri Lanka
- Enhances maritime cooperation and interoperability
- Activities include gunnery firing, communication drills, and VBSS operations
- Aligned with India’s MAHASAGAR policy for regional maritime security
