During the visit, a series of professional, training, cultural and sports interactions took place between the ships’ crew and Sri Lanka Navy. Ships from the First Training Squadron have been visiting Sri Lanka regularly and the last visit was in March 2015.

The First Training Squadron, headed by Captain S.R. Ayyar, Senior Officer First Training Squadron and Commanding Officer INS Tir comprises six ingeniously built warships, including two Sail Training ships, imparts sea training to Naval and Coast Guard Trainee officers.

The First Training Squadron is a part of Indian Navy’s prestigious Southern Naval Command (SNC), headed by Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, AVSM, VSM. SNC is the Training Command of the Indian Navy, which conducts basic and advanced training for officers and sailors, including those from friendly foreign countries. As one of the finest destinations for training, Indian Navy has trained more than 13,000 international trainees from over 40 countries in the last four decades.