The Indian Navy’s INS Kalpeni arrived in Colombo on 19 October 2024, receiving a warm welcome from the Sri Lanka Navy by naval traditions. During the ship’s stay, Commander Sunil Kulhari, the Commanding Officer of INS Kalpeni, will meet with Rear Admiral Chinthaka Kumarasinghe, Commander of the Western Naval Area.
INS Kalpeni, a Car Nicobar-class Waterjet Fast Attack Craft (FAC) commissioned on 14 October 2010, is named after Kalpeni Island in the Lakshadweep archipelago. Based in Kochi, the ship plays a vital role in coastal surveillance and defence, specializing in anti-smuggling operations, vessel boarding, search and rescue missions, and vessel seizure.
The ship’s port call in Colombo, from 19-21 October 2024, is part of an Operational Turnaround. Along with technical support tools for the Sri Lanka Navy, INS Kalpeni will also take on supplies, and its crew will visit key sites in and around Colombo.
Earlier this year, in January 2024, a similar ship, INS Kabra, visited Colombo and delivered essential spares to the Sri Lanka Navy and Air Force. These visits by Indian Navy ships aim to foster greater camaraderie and operational synergy between the two neighbouring navies.
The visit of INS Kalpeni further enhances bilateral cooperation, aligning with India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and the Prime Minister’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision.
