First advanced warship made in India for Sri Lanka Navy arrives at Colombo harbour

The Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel (AOPV) constructed at Goa Shipyard Ltd. (GSL) for the mission requirement of the Sri Lanka Navy, arrived at the Colombo harbour Friday morning, the Sri Lanka Navy Media Unit said.

Sri Lanka Navy in compliance with naval traditions received the brand-new vessel that is expected to join its fleet upon its arrival at the Colombo Port.

Senior naval officers including Director General Operations, Rear Admiral Piyal De Silva, and Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Niraja Attygalle, and a cross section of officers from the Naval Headquarters and Western Naval Command attended the event.

The manufacturer, State-owned Goa Shipyard, delivered the first Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel (AOPV) on 22 July to Sri Lanka Navy at a ceremony held at the Indian ship building facility in Goa. The vessel is the first ever brand-new OPV acquisition of the Navy.

The ship underwent various trials and tests before she set sail to her final destination, Sri Lanka to affirm her operational and patrolling capabilities. Meanwhile, the delivery completed a USD 66.55 million procurement of state of the art vessel from the Indian shipbuilder GSL.

The twin sister of this AOPV which is currently being built by the same shipbuilder is also scheduled to join SLN fleet in the next year.