INS Udaygiri, an indigenously built multi-role stealth frigate of the Indian Navy, arrived at Colombo Port, Sri Lanka, on 8 September 2026 for a three-day operational turnaround. The visit coincided with the official visit of Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Colombo from 8 to 10 September 2026.
INS Udaygiri and Indian Naval Frigates
INS Udaygiri is a stealth frigate built in India and commissioned for multi-role naval operations. Frigates are warships used for escort duties, maritime security, anti-submarine warfare, and surface combat operations.
Defence Cooperation Between India and Sri Lanka
During the Colombo visit, INS Udaygiri delivered machinery and equipment spares for operational use by the Sri Lanka Navy and the Sri Lanka Air Force. The ship’s crew also took part in professional exchanges, sports interactions, and a beach cleaning drive linked to the Clean Sri Lanka Campaign.
Memoranda of Understanding Signed in Colombo
On 9 September 2026, Rajnath Singh met Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and finalised three defence sector Memoranda of Understanding. The agreements covered Indian-funded upgrades for six 40mm L70 air defence guns for the Sri Lankan Air Force and exchange programmes between the National Cadet Corps and the National Defence Colleges of both countries.
Important Facts for Exams
- INS Udaygiri is an indigenously built stealth frigate of the Indian Navy.
- Colombo Port is the main seaport of Sri Lanka and a major Indian Ocean maritime hub.
- The 40mm L70 is a towed anti-aircraft gun system used by several armed forces.
- The National Cadet Corps is a youth organisation under the Ministry of Defence in India.
India-Sri Lanka Maritime and Defence Links
India and Sri Lanka share maritime boundaries in the Indian Ocean and conduct naval cooperation through port calls, training exchanges, and capacity-building support. Sri Lanka’s defence institutions include the Sri Lanka Navy, the Sri Lanka Air Force, and the Sri Lankan Army.
Rajnath Singh’s Colombo visit in September 2026 was the first visit by an Indian defence minister to Sri Lanka in nearly 40 years. The visit included a reception aboard INS Udaygiri and an announcement of Indian assistance for an Artificial Intelligence facility for the Sri Lankan Army.
