Joint Naval Exercises

As part of an effort to strengthen maritime security cooperation, the Maldivian and Indian Coast Guards along with the Sri Lankan Navy are holding a joint naval exercise off the coast of Male.

Maldives, Sri Lanka and India conducts joint Naval exercises

By Asif Fuard, Haveeru Online

With the view of strengthening maritime security cooperation amongst regional navies, the Maldivian Coast Guard is currently taking part in a joint naval exercise off the coast of Male along with the Indian Coast Guard and Sri Lankan Navy.

The joint naval exercise code named Dosti-XI which began on April 23 will be held till April 27.

The Maldivian Coast Guard will be represented by the CGS Huravee (Former Indian Navy Trinkerkat FAC), CGS Ghazee and CGS Shaheed Ali.

The joint naval exercise will be focusing on maritime search and rescue, marine pollution response and boarding operations.

A Sri Lankan naval official speaking to Haveeru on conditions of anonymity said that the plan to conduct the joint operations were discussed early this year in which the three regional navies agreed to participate in the exercise in order to strengthen maritime security cooperation.

“Due to the increase in maritime terrorism and piracy it’s important to strengthen regional maritime cooperation. Currently the Indian Ocean is threatened by piracy and it has now become the responsibility of the regional navies to work together to combat the current issues. We have previously conducted joint operations with India and Maldives. This will be an important exercise since all three countries are taking part with a common objective,” he said.

The ICGS Sankalp and the ICGS Subhadra will be representing the Indian Coast Guard, while the SLNS Sagara will be representing the Sri Lanka Navy.

Source: Haveeru Online