Indian Navys INS Trishul Completes Visit to Egypt, Engages in SLINEX-26 Exercise with Sri Lanka

Visakhapatnam, September 20 (Daily Kiran) : The Indian Navy’s INS Trishul has successfully completed a three-day visit to Alexandria, Egypt, and is now participating in the 13th edition of the annual bilateral maritime exercise, SLINEX-26, in Visakhapatnam. This exercise, which runs until September 21, aims to strengthen maritime cooperation, mutual understanding, and operational synergy between the two nations.

During its time in Alexandria, INS Trishul conducted a PASSEX drill with the Egyptian naval vessel INS Berenice. The visit concluded on September 17, with Indian Ambassador to Egypt, Suresh K. Reddy, visiting the ship. The commanding officer of INS Trishul paid tribute at the Chatby War Memorial, honoring soldiers who lost their lives in the world wars. The crew also engaged in discussions with Egyptian naval officers, focusing on enhancing mutual operational capabilities and advancing maritime cooperation.

In the ongoing SLINEX-26 exercise, the Indian Navy has deployed the indigenous anti-submarine warfare vessel INS Kavaratti and the fleet tanker INS Jyoti. The Sri Lankan Navy is represented by the SLNS Sindurala. Since its inception in 2005, SLINEX has become a vital platform for maritime collaboration between India and Sri Lanka. The exercise not only enhances operational coordination but also fosters a deeper understanding of each other’s operational methodologies.

The harbor phase of the exercise, organized under the Eastern Naval Command, includes professional discussions, ship tours, and cultural activities. Following this phase, the naval forces will focus on joint operations at sea to further improve interoperability. SLINEX-26 reflects India’s commitment to promoting a secure, stable, and inclusive maritime environment, strengthening the long-standing maritime ties between India and Sri Lanka.