Indian ships to train SLN cadets

[TamilNet, Thursday, 10 March 2005, 16:09 GMT]
Three Indian naval ships have arrived in Colombo to provide sea training for Sri Lanka naval (SLN)cadets exposing them to various naval operations at sea, under India-Sri Lanka "Training Exchange Programme," said a press release from Indian Embassy in Sri Lanka issued Thursday. The commanding officers of the ships are also scheduled to have formal meetings with Sri Lanka navy officers, the release added.


The INS Sujata, an Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) was commissioned into service in november 1993

The Indian High Commission hosted a welcome dinner to celebrate the arrival of ships.

Arrival of Indian ships coincided with the visit of Pakistan Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshall Kaleem Sabath who is currently in Sri Lanka to deliver six Chinese made attack air crafts refurbished in Parkistan.

Full text of the press release follows:

"Three Indian Naval training ships, INS Krishna, Sujata and Taringini are visiting Sri Lanka on a goodwill visit. The ships have arrived at Colombo on 10 March 2005 and will depart on 22 March 2005. During their stay at Colombo, various official, social, cultural and sports events have been scheduled.

These training ships provide sea training to the officer cadets of the Indian navy. The training ships are normally based at Kochi in the Indian state of Kerala. The Indian naval cadets are usually trained in aspects covering a wide variety of subjects to enable them to take on higher responsibilities. The primary focus is on teaching the young cadets to become seafarers, to develop qualities to take on all challenges that the sea can pose.

The INS Tarangini is the only Sail Training Ship in the Indian Navy. Navies are increasingly using sail training ships the world over as basic seamanship and character-building platform.	The INS Krishna, named after a hindu deity, is a training frigate. It was originally a British Royal Navy (RN) Leander class Frigate called HMS Andromeda commissioned into RN service in 1968. The ship was recommissioned by the Indian Navy in August 1995

Besides professional training, the cadets are exposed to various adventure sports and activities designed to develop their ability to operate and survive at sea. The officers and sailors who train the cadets are some of the finest and most capable men in the Indian navy. These officers and men have years of experience at sea and most have had extensive operational assignments prior to being appointed on the training ships. The training ships maintain the highest maritime, professional and personal traditions.

INS Tarangini, the 'three masted barque', is the sail ship and a part of the first training squadron of the Indian navy. INS Krishna is a 3000 tonne warship propelled by steam and with an endurance of 3300 nautical miles. INS Sujata is a 2,500 tonne offshore patrol vessel, which has been converted for the training of cadets.

INS Tarangini is the first ship of the Indian navy to have circumnavigated the globe, from 23 Jan 03 till 25 Apr 04. With the theme of building bridges of friendship across the oceans, Tarangini has called at 37 ports in 18 countries covering 34,923 nautical miles. She has also participated in the tall ship races in the great lakes winning the ASTA Great Lakes Challenge 2003. 28 officers including 8 lady officers, 75 sailors and 220 cadets are participating in this epic voyage.

During her circumnavigation voyage, more than a hundred thousand visitors have come onboard at various ports to celebrate the history of the seas. The ship has also embarked 19 foreign trainees from friendly countries during her circumnavigation. These include officers from Sri Lanka, Egypt, Italy, South Africa, France, USA, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

Under the India-Sri Lanka cadets' Training Exchange Programme, the ships will be taking on board Sri Lankan naval cadets for sea training from 14 Mar to 19 Mar 05. During the sea training phase, the Sri Lankan cadets will be exposed to various facets of naval operations at sea. A component of the famous Indian naval band is scheduled to give a public performance along with the Sri Lankan naval band on 13 mar 05 at the open-air auditorium in the Viharamahadevi Park.

The commanding officers of the ships are scheduled to have a formal meeting with senior officers of the Sri Lankan navy besides calling on the High Commissioner for India in Sri Lanka.

The Indian naval cadets will interact with different Sri Lankan military training establishments. The cadets will associate with their Sri Lankan counterparts for five days as part of the programme. The Indian cadets would also be visiting places of religious and historical importance in Sri Lanka.