Indian naval ships in Sri Lanka for spring overseas deployment

COLOMBO: Three Indian naval ships are currently on a three-day visit to Sri Lanka as part of their spring overseas deployment, imparting sea training to Lankan naval and coast guard trainees.

The three ships Tir and Sujata and Indian Coast Guard ship Varuna that are part of the First Training Squadron will stay here till April 19, the Indian High Commission said.

The ships will figure in a series of professional, training, cultural and sports interactions that will take place between the ships' crew and Sri Lanka Navy personnel.

Ships from the First Training Squadron have been visiting Sri Lanka regularly. Their last visit was in March last year, during which valuable training opportunities were provided to the Sri Lanka Navy.

The First Training Squadron forms part of Southern Naval Command (SNC) and comprises six indigenously built warships namely Tir, Shardul, Sujata, ICGS Varuna and two Sail Training ships Sudarshini as well as Tarangini.

The primary aim of the Squadron is to impart sea training to Naval and Coast Guard trainees over a period of 24 weeks while exposing them to the rigours of life at sea.

The Training Squadron is headed by Captain S R Ayyar, Senior Officer First Training Squadron and Commanding Officer INS Tir.

As one of the finest destinations for training, Indian Navy has trained more than 13,000 international trainees from over 40 countries in the last four decades.