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India, Sri Lanka conduct naval exercises
Indian Navy's destroyer Ranvijay preparing to sail out of the Trincomalee port to take part in the final leg of the joint naval exercises on Friday
The Indian Navy gained from the Sri Lankan experience with low intensity conflict, while the Sri Lankan Navy learnt to operate more effectively in a multi-force environment on the conclusion of the biggest-ever exercise between the two Navies.
The exercises, "SLINEX II," which commenced on September 19 and ended on Friday, were aimed at enhancing interoperability.
Involving 6 Indian state-of-the-art vessels of the Eastern Command, and over 1,200 Indian naval personnel, and 11 Sri Lankan vessels and an almost equal complement of personnel, the exercises were keenly watched by the international community and the diplomatic corps stationed in Colombo.
"The Sri Lankan Navy has gained a lot of experience in asymmetric warfare, basically handling attack by small boats," Rear Admiral H.C.S. Bisht, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, Indian Navy, who commanded the Indian ships, told The Hindu. "We learnt from them how they handle these attacks," he added.
This manoeuvre was displayed to the press on Friday. A plethora of small attack craft from the Sri Lankan Navy "attacked" the Indian indigenous multi-role frigate with stealth features, INS Shivalik. The frigate first did zig-zag manoeuvres in a bid to throw the small boats off balance with its huge wake. When this did not happen, Shivalik relied on its awesome firepower to "silence" the small boats. Ideally a combination of small arms fire and manoeuvres work well: but that is as long as the small boats do not blow themselves up.
The Sri Lankan Navy said the drill was expected to provide the opportunity for the neighbouring navies to rehearse the concept of joint naval operations and enhance their skills.
The decision to increase mutual defence cooperation and to hold joint naval exercises was taken during the visit of Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar to Sri Lanka in December 2010.
The first exercises were held about six years ago, said the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Ashok K.Kantha. In 2005, two Indian vessels participated in an exercise.
But since the Eelam War IV intensified since 2006, the exercises, which were to be held annually, were put off.
The one vessel that generated a lot of interest was Shivalik, which was commissioned in April 2010. It is a product of indigenous design, U.S. engines and a mix of Russian and Indian weaponry. The BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles are also part of its armoury. The frigate is part of the Eastern Fleet.
The other naval ships which took part were Ranvijay, Gharial, Khanjar, Cheriyam and Coradiv, along with integral helicopters and a Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
The Vietnamese Ambassador to Sri Lanka travelled from Colombo to Trincomalee to convey his wishes to the Indian and Sri Lankan Navy personnel, onboard the INS Shivalik on Thursday.
The Hindu : News / International : India, Sri Lanka conduct naval exercises
Indian Navy's destroyer Ranvijay preparing to sail out of the Trincomalee port to take part in the final leg of the joint naval exercises on Friday
The Indian Navy gained from the Sri Lankan experience with low intensity conflict, while the Sri Lankan Navy learnt to operate more effectively in a multi-force environment on the conclusion of the biggest-ever exercise between the two Navies.
The exercises, "SLINEX II," which commenced on September 19 and ended on Friday, were aimed at enhancing interoperability.
Involving 6 Indian state-of-the-art vessels of the Eastern Command, and over 1,200 Indian naval personnel, and 11 Sri Lankan vessels and an almost equal complement of personnel, the exercises were keenly watched by the international community and the diplomatic corps stationed in Colombo.
"The Sri Lankan Navy has gained a lot of experience in asymmetric warfare, basically handling attack by small boats," Rear Admiral H.C.S. Bisht, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, Indian Navy, who commanded the Indian ships, told The Hindu. "We learnt from them how they handle these attacks," he added.
This manoeuvre was displayed to the press on Friday. A plethora of small attack craft from the Sri Lankan Navy "attacked" the Indian indigenous multi-role frigate with stealth features, INS Shivalik. The frigate first did zig-zag manoeuvres in a bid to throw the small boats off balance with its huge wake. When this did not happen, Shivalik relied on its awesome firepower to "silence" the small boats. Ideally a combination of small arms fire and manoeuvres work well: but that is as long as the small boats do not blow themselves up.
The Sri Lankan Navy said the drill was expected to provide the opportunity for the neighbouring navies to rehearse the concept of joint naval operations and enhance their skills.
The decision to increase mutual defence cooperation and to hold joint naval exercises was taken during the visit of Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar to Sri Lanka in December 2010.
The first exercises were held about six years ago, said the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Ashok K.Kantha. In 2005, two Indian vessels participated in an exercise.
But since the Eelam War IV intensified since 2006, the exercises, which were to be held annually, were put off.
The one vessel that generated a lot of interest was Shivalik, which was commissioned in April 2010. It is a product of indigenous design, U.S. engines and a mix of Russian and Indian weaponry. The BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles are also part of its armoury. The frigate is part of the Eastern Fleet.
The other naval ships which took part were Ranvijay, Gharial, Khanjar, Cheriyam and Coradiv, along with integral helicopters and a Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
The Vietnamese Ambassador to Sri Lanka travelled from Colombo to Trincomalee to convey his wishes to the Indian and Sri Lankan Navy personnel, onboard the INS Shivalik on Thursday.
The Hindu : News / International : India, Sri Lanka conduct naval exercises
