The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) has officially commissioned a frigate gifted by China during a ceremony at the Colombo port.
The P625 vessel, which has been designated as Sri Lanka Navy Ship (SLNS) Parakramabahu, will enhance the operational capability of the navy.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena, SLN officials and other dignitaries attended the commissioning ceremony.
The president handed over the Commissioning Warrant to SLNS Parakramabahu commanding officer captain Nalindra Jayasinghe.
Parakramabahu was previously in service with the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) of China.
SLN received the frigate in Shanghai, China, on 5 June this year. P625 was built in 1991 and commissioned by the PLAN in 1994.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataThe ship has a length of 112m, a width of 12.4m and displacement of 2,300t. It can achieve a maximum speed of 25k and can carry a crew of 18 officers and 92 sailors.
Parakramabahu features weapons, communications, aviation systems, and other operating systems.
Jane’s reported that the ship has a twin 100mm naval gun system, two Type 76A 37mm cannon turrets in the forward section. Parakramabahu is also fitted with two turrets on the port and starboard sides.
Once the frigate enters service, the Navy will use it in support of patrol and surveillance missions in the seas around the island nation.
The ship will boost the country’s maritime security and conduct search and rescue operations.
According to a Xinhua report, Parakramabahu will be attached to the Eastern Naval Command of Sri Lanka Navy based in Trincomalee.
In June, the SLN conducted the commissioning ceremony for the P626 vessel procured from the US Government.
