High Commission of India, Colombo

PRESS RELEASE

Indian Navy’s Training Squadron in Trincomalee

Four ships from the Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron, namely Indian Naval Ships TIR and KESARI, Indian Coast Guard Ship VARUNA and Sail Training Ship SUDARSHINI, are visiting Trincomalee from March 27-29, 2015.

During their stay in Trincomalee, a series of professional, training, cultural and sports interactions 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 April 2013, during which valuable training opportunities were provided to the Sri Lanka Navy.

The First Training Squadron, which comprises six ships, including two sail ships, imparts sea training to Naval and Coast Guard Sea Trainee officers. The ships of the First Training Squadron are the only ships of Indian Navy and Coast Guard where intensive practical ab-initio sea training in seamanship, navigation, shiphandling, boat work and engineering is conducted for officers over a period of 24 weeks. The Training Squadron is headed by Captain S.R.Ayyar, Senior Officer First Training Squadron and Commanding Officer INS Tir.

The First Training Squadron is a part of Indian Navy’s prestigious Southern Naval Command (SNC), headed by Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Vice Admiral S. P. S. Cheema, PVSM, AVSM, NM. SNC is the Training Command of the Indian Navy, which conducts naval training for officers and sailors, including those from friendly foreign countries. As one of the finest destinations for training, the Indian Navy has trained more than 11,000 international trainees from over 40 countries in the last four decades.

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March 26, 2015

Colombo