India Hands Over Off-Shore Patrol Vessel ‘Varuna’ To Sri Lanka

India handed over an off-shore patrol vessel, Varuna, to Sri Lanka during a transfer ceremony on September 5 at Naval Base, Kochi.

"The handing over of the Indian Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessel to Government of Sri Lanka for training and surveillance purposes is a part of India's continuing efforts for cementing the historical and cultural ties between the two countries," the Indian coast guard said in a statement.

Prior to the ship’s departure to Sri Lanka, the SLCG crew will be imparted familiarisation and on job training by Indian Coast Guard work up team on ship handling, bridge navigation, engine room controls and machinery.

The ship was decommissioned with traditional honours on August 23 to facilitate the handing over at Kochi.

India has earlier handed over two off-shore patrol vessels or OPVs of the Indian Coast Guard, Varaha in April 2006 and Vigraha in August 2008.

ICGS Varuna is a Vikram-class offshore patrol vessel built by Mazagon Dock Limited Mumbai for the Indian Coast Guard. A derivative of this has been exported to Mauritius as the MCGS Barracuda.