SLINEX-26: India, Sri Lanka navies complete sea drills off Visakhapatnam
Synopsis
India and Sri Lanka have wrapped up the 13th edition of SLINEX, their flagship bilateral naval exercise, with the sea phase off Visakhapatnam featuring night replenishment, special forces drills, and air operations. As Indian Ocean competition intensifies, SLINEX-26's upgraded complexity signals that India is treating maritime interoperability with Colombo as a serious strategic priority — not just diplomatic optics.
Key Takeaways
The 13th edition of SLINEX-26 concluded off Visakhapatnam on 23 September 2026 , spanning both harbour and sea phases.
Sea phase drills included air operations , night replenishment at sea , VBSS , and slithering operations by special forces.
The Indian Navy deployed INS Kavaratti (indigenous ASW Corvette) and INS Jyoti (Fleet Tanker); Sri Lanka sent SLNS Sindurala .
Captain PHSS Appuhamy met Rear Admiral Vishal Bishnoi during the harbour phase, reinforcing bilateral professional ties.
SLINEX was conceptualised in 2005 and is aligned with India's MAHASAGAR maritime security vision for the Indian Ocean Region.
The navies of India and Sri Lanka on 23 September 2026 concluded the sea phase of bilateral maritime exercise SLINEX-26 off the coast of Visakhapatnam, conducting a range of complex drills including air operations, night replenishment at sea, and special forces evolutions. The 13th edition of the exercise, which commenced on 17 September 2026, marks a significant milestone in the two nations' enduring naval partnership.
What the Sea Phase Involved
During the sea phase, both navies undertook seamanship evolutions, air operations, night replenishment at sea, and Special Forces drills — including Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) and slithering operations. 'The evolutions enhanced interoperability and operational coordination, culminating in the conclusion of SLINEX-26 and furthering the enduring India–Sri Lanka maritime partnership,' the Indian Navy said in a post on X.
These exercises are designed to simulate real-world maritime scenarios, demanding close coordination between the two fleets at sea and in the air.
Harbour Phase Highlights
Before moving to sea, the harbour phase at Visakhapatnam featured professional exchanges, cross-deck visits, Underway Replenishment (UNREP) training, yoga sessions, and sporting interactions between the two navies. Captain PHSS Appuhamy, Commanding Officer of SLNS Sindurala, called on Rear Admiral Vishal Bishnoi, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet (FOCEF), to advance professional dialogue and mutual understanding.
Sri Lankan Naval Ship Sindurala had arrived at Visakhapatnam on 17 September and was formally welcomed by the Indian Navy in keeping with naval traditions.
Ships and Assets Deployed
The Indian Navy's participation featured INS Kavaratti, an indigenous Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Corvette, and INS Jyoti, a Fleet Tanker. The deployment of an indigenous corvette underscores India's push to integrate domestically built platforms into frontline bilateral exercises.
Strategic Significance
SLINEX was conceptualised in 2005 and has evolved into a key forum for maritime cooperation and interoperability between the two nations. This edition is aligned with India's vision of MAHASAGAR — a framework for maritime security cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region. The Ministry of Defence noted that the exercise 'reinforces India's commitment to a secure, stable and inclusive maritime environment.' Notably, this comes amid heightened attention to Indian Ocean security, with multiple regional powers expanding their naval footprint in the region.
What This Means Going Forward
The successful conclusion of SLINEX-26 builds on a two-decade legacy of India-Sri Lanka naval cooperation. With special forces drills and night replenishment operations now firmly embedded in the exercise template, both navies are edging closer to seamless interoperability — a capability that will matter as the Indian Ocean Region grows more contested.
Point of View
VBSS, slithering drills — has grown considerably more complex than the early editions of 2005, reflecting India's push to turn neighbourhood naval ties into genuine interoperability rather than ceremonial goodwill. Yet the deeper question is whether bilateral exercises with smaller neighbours translate into coordinated responses during real Indian Ocean contingencies. With China's naval presence in the IOR expanding and the Colombo Port City project in focus, India's investment in Sri Lanka's maritime readiness is as much a strategic hedge as it is a friendship ritual. The MAHASAGAR framing is telling — New Delhi is deliberately building an institutional vocabulary around Indian Ocean security that it hopes will outlast any single government in Colombo.
NationPress
23 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What drills were conducted during SLINEX-26?
The exercise included seamanship evolutions, air operations, night replenishment at sea, and special forces drills — specifically Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) and slithering operations during the sea phase. The harbour phase covered cross-deck visits, UNREP training, yoga, and sporting interactions.
Which ships participated in SLINEX-26?
India deployed INS Kavaratti, an indigenous Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette, and INS Jyoti, a Fleet Tanker. Sri Lanka participated with SLNS Sindurala, which arrived at Visakhapatnam on 17 September 2026.
What is India's MAHASAGAR vision and how does SLINEX relate to it?
MAHASAGAR is India's framework for building a secure, stable, and inclusive maritime environment in the Indian Ocean Region. SLINEX-26 is aligned with this vision, reinforcing India's commitment to deepening maritime cooperation with its regional neighbours, particularly Sri Lanka.
When did SLINEX-26 begin and where was it held?
SLINEX-26 began on 17 September 2026 with a harbour phase at Visakhapatnam, followed by the sea phase off the Visakhapatnam coast. The exercise concluded on 23 September 2026.
