Sri Lankan Navy Commissions India-built Offshore Patrol Vessel

The largest Offshore Patrol Vessel (AOPV) of the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN), received its commission by the President Maithripala Sirisena during a ceremony in Colombo harbour on Wednesday.

Constructed by the Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) in India and christened as 'SLNS Sayurala' is the first ever brand new AOPV purchased from a foreign ship builder, custom made for the specific requirements of the SLN.

A Sri Lankan MoD release said, It is the largest vessel of its kind to be acquired by the Navy. With a length of 105.7 m and width of 13.6m the vessel has a displacement of 2,350 tonnes. It can travel at a top speed of 26 knots and a cruising speed of 12-14 knots. It has a travel range of 7000 nautical miles and has landing facility and hangar for an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH). The new vessel can acommodate a crew of 18 officers and 100 sailors.

'SLNS Sayurala' is expected to conduct patrols, policing, reconnaissance, surveillance, search and rescue, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and pollution control missions in Sri Lanka's territorial waters . It can also be used for external fire-fighting missions as well.

The manufacture of the vessel was initiated in May 2014 soon after signing of the contract on 17th February 2014 for two AOPVs. Subsequently the Keel of the first vessel was laid on 10th September 2014. The vessel was official taken over during a ceremony on 22nd July this year and brought to the island on the 28 July 2017.

The remaining one of the two AOPVs being built in India is scheduled to join the SLN's fleet by next year.