The Indian Navy ship INS Kalpeni docked in Colombo on October 19, where it was warmly welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in line with naval tradition. During its stay, the Commanding Officer, Commander Sunil Kulhari, is scheduled to meet with Rear Admiral Chinthaka Kumarasinghe, Commander of the Western Naval Area.
INS Kalpeni, a Car Nicobar-class Waterjet Fast Attack Craft, was commissioned on October 14, 2010, and is named after Kalpeni Island in the Lakshadweep archipelago. The vessel is homeported in Kochi, focusing primarily on coastal surveillance and defense. It is equipped for various operations, including anti-smuggling, Vessel Boarding Search and Seizure (VBSS), and Search and Rescue (SAR).
The ship’s current port call, which will last from October 19 to 21, is designated as an “Operational Turn Around.” INS Kalpeni has brought essential technical support tools intended for transfer to the Sri Lanka Navy. In addition to replenishing supplies, the crew will also visit significant sites in and around Colombo.
This visit follows the earlier arrival of INS Kabra, a similar vessel, which visited Colombo in January 2024 and delivered spare parts to both the Sri Lanka Navy and Air Force.
The Indian Navy and Coast Guard’s port visits are aimed at fostering friendship and enhancing interoperability between the two neighboring navies. This engagement further strengthens bilateral cooperation and camaraderie in alignment with India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy and the Prime Minister’s vision of “SAGAR” (Security and Growth for all in the Region).
