Indian Navy’s frontline Warship INS Mumbai, will arrive Colombo today on a three-day visit. The ship will be received in a ceremonial manner by the Sri Lanka Navy.
INS Mumbai is the third of the Delhi class destroyers, indigenously built and commissioned into the Indian Navy on January 22, 2001. The Ship was built at Mazagon Dock Limited in her namesake city Mumbai. INS Mumbai will be bringing essential spares for the Dornier maritime patrol aircraft operated by Sri Lanka Air Force. The Dornier aircraft provides a unique and critical capability of surveillance over the Sea Area of Responsibility (AOR) of Sri Lanka since induction two years ago. This has also greatly enhanced the Search and Rescue capability in Sri Lanka’s vast EEZ. In addition to training the SLAF pilots, flight navigators, Indian Navy is supporting the maintenance of this aircraft with a technical team and spares. An Indian ship visited earlier this year, also brought in material assistance. INS Kabra and later ICGS Sachet had brought spares parts for Sri Lanka Coast Guard ship Suraksha.
During the stay in Colombo, INS Mumbai will conduct familiarisation tour onboard for Sri Lanka Navy personnel aimed at sharing best practices between both the Navies. It can be recalled that a long specialisation course for student officers and Cadets of Naval and Maritime Academy, Trincomalee was organised onboard the submarine Shalki, during port call earlier this month, adding value to their training. Indian Navy also provides various specialist courses including in core area of Hydrography in India for capacity building of the Sri Lanka Navy.
On arrival, the Commanding Officer will call on Western Naval Area Commander Rear Admiral W. D. C. U. Kumarasinghe at Western Naval Area Headquarters. The ship will also undertake joint activities with the Sri Lanka Navy such as sports fixtures, Yoga and beach cleaning.
It has been customary for Indian Naval Ships to make Port calls at Sri Lankan ports, when transiting between Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. The visit is categorised as an Operational Turn Around (OTR), wherein the ship will also replenish fuel and provisions. The crew will find time for rest and recuperation and also an opportunity to visit a few places of importance in the city and some popular tourist attractions in Colombo and Galle.
INS Mumbai will depart the country on August 29.
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