Why in News?
IN–SLN DIVEX 2026 is the 4th edition of the bilateral diving exercise between the Indian Navy and the Sri Lanka Navy. It is recently in the news as it successfully concluded on April 28, 2026, marking a major milestone in deep-sea maritime cooperation between the two neighbours.
Overview and Participants
- Edition: 4th edition of the bilateral diving engagement.
- Dates: Conducted from April 21 to April 28, 2026.
- Location: Based out of the port of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
- Primary Vessel: The Indian Navy's INS Nireekshak, a specialized Diving Support and Submarine Rescue Vessel, led the exercise.
Objectives
- Interoperability: Enhancing the ability of both navies to work together during complex underwater missions.
- Skill Exchange: Sharing best practices in Submarine Rescue, salvage operations, and underwater engineering.
- Regional Security: Strengthening the security framework of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) through "Bridges of Friendship."
Key Operational Highlights
- Mixed Gas Diving: Specialized training for high-pressure, deep-sea environments using helium-oxygen mixtures.
- Harbour & Open-Sea Dives: Drills were conducted in varied conditions to test physiological endurance and technical precision.
- Camaraderie Building: Beyond the dives, the navies participated in joint Yoga sessions, beach clean-up drives at Galle Face, and friendly sports fixtures.
- IPKF Homage: The Commanding Officer of INS Nireekshak paid tribute at the IPKF Memorial in Colombo to honour Indian soldiers.
Humanitarian & Security Support
- BHISM Cubes: These are portable, state-of-the-art medical units capable of handling up to 200 emergency cases, designed for rapid disaster response.
- Ammunition Transfer: The supply of 50,000 rounds of ammunition aims to bolster the operational readiness of the Sri Lankan naval forces.
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