China-gifted frigate reaches Colombo

The P625, a state-of-the-art frigate gifted by China to Sri Lanka Navy, arrived at the Colombo Harbour yesterday after 12 days’ sail from Shanghai, with 18 officers and 92 sailors on board. 

The arrival was warmly welcomed by Ambassador of China to Sri Lanka Cheng Xueyuan, and Sri Lanka Navy Commander Vice Admiral De Silva, representatives of Sri Lanka-China friendly organisations and overseas Chinese community. A welcome reception for the ship was also hosted in the Chinese embassy on the same day. 

The frigate will be a main ship in charge of offshore patrol, maritime safety, environment monitoring, anti-piracy combat and other operations for Sri Lanka Navy. This pretty young ship is considered a most advanced and capable one in SLN. 

Built in 1994, it is 112 m long, 12.4 m wide, 3.5 m designed draft, 1,975 tons of standard drainage, and 2,308 tons of full-load drainage. It can withstand force nine wind (strong gale) when it is standard drainage. 

The power system uses two 18E390VA (optimised) medium-speed diesel engines. Endurance is 3,500 nautical miles and self-sufficiency of P625 is 15 days and nights when sailing at 18 knots patrol speed.  

The main weapon equipment comprises one 100 mm main gun (the most powerful in SLN), four twin 37 mm auxiliary guns. Electronic system is equipped with 360 air and sea warning radar and Synapsis navigation radar.

The handover of the vessel was sped up after the 21 April attacks. Besides, the PLA Navy of China has held a two-month professional training for more than 110 Sri Lanka naval officers and sailors in Shanghai. Further training will be provided according to the needs of the Sri Lankan Navy.