Indian Navy Ship ’Airavat’ in Colombo

Indian Navy Ship ‘Airavat’, a Shardul-class Landing Ship Tank (LST) arrived in Colombo yesterday, the Indian High Commission in Colombo said.

The Commanding Officer of the vessel, Commander Rindu Babu called on the Commander of Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral T.S.K. Perera during the visit.

Issuing a statement, the High Commission said that in line with the Government of India's 'Neighbourhood  First' policy the Assistant Chief of  Naval Staff – Foreign Cooperation, Indian Navy, Rear Admiral Nirbhay Bapna handed over valuable machinery test and trial equipment including other machinery items for the Sri Lanka Navy on grant by the Indian government to Director General of Engineering, Sri Lanka Navy, Rear Admiral (E) K.W.A.R.I. Ranasinghe, in a ceremony onboard the ship on 18 October 2023. 

The timely availability of spares would ensure optimal operational availability of the SLN platforms.

“The efforts of the Indian Navy are in keeping with its core ideology of 'Bridges of Friendship', towards strengthening its relations with friendly neighbours,” it added.