SLNS Sindurala, the second of two Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessels (AOPV) being built for the Sri Lankan Navy at the Goa Shipyard in India, was launched on May 2.
Sindurala was already launched once in December last year but was re-docked a day later. Neither the Sri Lanka Navy nor the ministry of defense mentioned the reason behind this procedure.
The advance offshore patrol vessels are 105.7 meters long and displace 2350 tons. They have accommodation facilities for 18 officers and 100 sailors. The ships’ endurance is 4,500 nautical miles according to the Sri Lanka Navy.
The AOPVs are based on the Indian Coast Guard’s Samarth-class offshore patrol vessels. The first vessel, launched by GSL in 2016, is expected to be delivered in August 2017.