Ships of First Training Squadron visit Sri Lanka

Ships of the First Training Squadron of the Indian Navy are visiting Sri Lanka as part of overseas deployment, an official statement said.

The ships from the First Training Squadron of the Indian Navy that are already in Thailand include cadet's training ship Tir, patrol vessel Sujata, sail training ship Sudarshini, and Indian Coast Guard Ship Varuna.

All hese boats are indigenously built.

The ships will be in Sri Lanka till April 19.

An official statement form the Navy said the deployment of the Training Squadron to Colombo would "further cement the close relations between the two nations and the two navies".

The primary aim of the squadron is to impart sea training to naval and Coast Guard trainees, with a 24-week ab-initio sea training being imparted.

All the young sailors are trained in seamanship, navigation, ship handling, boat work, and technical aspects while being exposed to the rigours of life at sea to earn their "sea legs".

The Southern Naval Command (SNC) is the Training Command of the Indian Navy, which provides both basic and advanced training to officers and sailors of the Indian Navy.

The Indian Navy has also been providing training to personnel from friendly foreign countries for more than four decades, and more than 13,000 personnel from over 40 countries have been trained so far.