SLINEX-26: 13th India–Sri Lanka Naval Exercise at Visakhapatnam

The exercise at a glance

The navies of India and Sri Lanka are holding the thirteenth round of their bilateral exercise, SLINEX-26, at Visakhapatnam. According to the Ministry of Defence, the exercise runs from 17 to 21 September 2026 and is split into two stages: it opened with a Harbour Phase, and a Sea Phase follows.

Which ships are taking part

Two Indian warships are involved. INS Kavaratti is an anti-submarine warfare corvette built in India, while INS Jyoti is a fleet tanker, a support ship that carries fuel for the rest of the fleet. The Sri Lanka Navy has sent SLNS Sindurala.

What happens in each phase

The Eastern Naval Command is overseeing the Harbour Phase. It began with an opening ceremony, followed by a reception on board INS Kavaratti for the crew of the Sri Lankan ship. In port, sailors from the two sides are holding professional discussions, touring each other's ships and comparing working methods, and the programme also makes room for Yoga, sports and cultural events.

When the ships put to sea, the focus shifts to working as one force. The joint activities planned for the Sea Phase are meant to sharpen coordination between the two navies and make it easier for their ships to operate together, which the ministry calls operational synergy and interoperability.

How SLINEX began

SLINEX was conceptualised in 2005. Over the years it has become a regular platform for the two navies to cooperate, to practise operating side by side and to build trust in each other.

The MAHASAGAR link

The ministry tied this edition to India's MAHASAGAR vision. It said the exercise supports India's aim of a maritime space that is secure, stable and open to all, and gives further weight to a partnership with Sri Lanka at sea that has lasted many years.

What to remember for the exam

Bilateral military exercises appear regularly in the general awareness sections of SSC, banking, railway and defence papers. For SLINEX, remember the partner (Sri Lanka), the edition (13th), the venue (Visakhapatnam), the dates (17 to 21 September 2026) and the ships: INS Kavaratti and INS Jyoti from India and SLNS Sindurala from Sri Lanka. The year the series was conceived, 2005, is another likely one-liner.