Sri Lanka Navy Officer Cadets join Indian Naval Ships for Sea Training

INS Shardul and ICGS Varuna which arrived to the island yesterday in response to an invitation extended by the Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe, commenced joined Naval Exercise with their Sri Lankan counterparts today. The exercise code named ‘Cadex 2009’ will go on till 08th October 2009. 107 Officer Cadets of the Sri Lanka Navy’s Naval and Maritime Academy joined the exercise to avail themselves a unique opportunity to be part of a Naval Exercise. The mission of the exercise is to provide Sri Lanka Naval Cadets an opportunity to train onboard Indian Ships and for Sri Lanka Navy ships to enhance and exchange knowledge with Indian ships.

The exercise began in the Western waters of Sri Lanka with SLNS Sayura and SLNS Samudura joining the formation as a part of the program where many areas of evaluations are to be carried out. Casting off Procedures, Seamanship Evaluations, Coastal Navigation, FLYEX and NBCD Exercise are some of the areas which will be evaluated.

The ‘Helo Ops’ conducted today on the Helo decks of Sri Lanka Navy’s craft was a focal point. The Vertical Replenishment Procedures (VERTREP) conducted availed the Sri Lankan Naval personnel on board SLNS Sayura and SLNS Samudura to gain valuable exposure and experience. Sri Lanka Navy is in the possession of four vessels capable of carrying helicopters. Plans are in the offing to have a Naval air wing in the future as well.

The visiting Indian Naval Cadets who are at present at the Naval and Maritime Academy in Tricomalee are participating in an interactive program which will give them a better understanding of the Sri Lanka Navy. These exercise programs are expected to boost bilateral relationship and mutual cooperation between the two navies.