Indian and Sri Lankan Navy are jointly conducting a naval training exercise from today in the Western seas of Sri Lanka. The naval training exercise scheduled for three days intends to provide Sri Lankan Officer Cadets an opportunity to train on board Indian Naval Ships and for Sri Lankan Ships to enhance and exchange knowledge with Indian Naval Ships. In reciprocation, Indian Navy Cadets will familiarize themselves with tri-forces military training institutions and will visit places of historical and cultural value in Sri Lanka in order to strengthen the training ties between the two countries.<br/><br/>INS 'Shardul' of the Indian Navy and INCGS 'Varuna' of the Indian Coast Guard with Indian Cadets on board and SLNS 'Sayura', SLNS 'Samudura' and 'A 521' of the Sri Lanka Navy are participating in the exercise Code-named 'Cadex 2009'.<br/><br/>INS 'Shardul' is a Landing Ship Tank commanded by Commander Raghunath Nair. It has a complement of 20 officers and 250 sailors and is 125 metres in length. ICGS 'Varuna' is an Offshore Patrol vessel commanded by Commandant Kalpit Dixit. It has a complement of 15 officers and 100 sailors and is 75 metres in length.<br/><br/>The joint military exercise reflects the mutual cooperation of the two friendly navies and the long standing bilateral relations of the two neighbouring nations.<br/>