Iran's Navy Flotilla berths in Sri Lanka

The Iranian Navy's 50th Fleet of Warships currently berthed in Sri Lanka on a training mission in a bid to bolster professional relations between the two countries' navies, Fars News Agency in Tehran reported. 

Iran's 50th Flotilla is comprised of Naqdi and Bayandor destroyers as well as Tonb logistic combat warship.The Iranian flotilla's visit is aimed at reinforcing ties between Iran and Sri Lanka and also promoting peace and friendship culture.

A team of Iranian cadets are aboard the Navy vessels to pass training courses. Holding meetings between Iranian and Sri Lankan commanders, visiting training and operational centers, participating in cultural and historical sites and holding sports games are on the visit's schedule.

In late January, the 50th flotilla of the Iranian Navy set off for high seas to safeguard maritime routes used by Iranian vessels in international waters, specially in the Gulf of Aden.

The new fleet which left Iran's Southern waters on January 30 comprised two home-made Shahid Naqdi and Bayandor destroyers and a logistic combat warship named Tonb.

A number of Iranian cadets are also present in the Navy mission in the international waters.

The 49th fleet of warships of the Iranian Navy returned to Bandar Abbas in Southern Iran early January after completing 67 days of sea navigation in free waters.

Iranian Navy’s 49th flotilla of warships, comprising of Sablan destroyer and Bandar Abbas logistic-combat warship, was welcomed by Navy Commander Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi in a ceremony in Bandar Abbas.

The 49th flotilla of the Navy returned to the country after 67 days of sailing and fulfilling missions and participating in relief and rescue operations which was held in Bangladesh in the presence of 33 countries of world.

The Iranian Navy's flotilla participated in Search and Rescue (SAR) naval drills participated by warships from 32 other countries comprising 23 member-states and nine observer members in Bangladesh.

The Iranian squadron sailed more than 3,800 nautical miles to reach the South Asian country.

“Our participation at the world’s biggest SAR drill and our continuous presence on the high seas of the world demonstrate the might and strength of our dear country,” asserted Commodore Reza Ghorbani, in charge of the flotilla.

“It shows our country’s greatness that despite all unjust sanctions we have kept our effective presence on waters in place and have effectively contributed on the international stage,” the commander added.

In recent years, Iran’s naval forces have increased their presence in high seas to secure naval routes and protect merchant vessels and oil tankers against pirates.

In line with international efforts to combat piracy, the Iranian Navy has also been conducting anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden to safeguard the vessels involved in maritime trade, specially the ships and oil tankers owned or leased by Iran.