Sri Lankan Navy commissions ex-PLAN frigate

A warship formerly operated by China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has been commissioned into service with the Sri Lankan Navy.

The 111.7- by 12.4-metre Type 053 frigate formerly known as Tongling now sails as SLNS Parakramabahu following its formal entry into Sri Lankan service on August 22.

The vessel honours King Parakramabahu I, the monarch of the 13th century Kingdom of Polonnaruwa which now forms part of modern day Sri Lanka.

The frigate’s anti-ship missile and surface-to-air missile launcher systems and close-in weapon system (CIWS) turrets had been removed prior to its being handed over to Sri Lanka. A 100-millimetre naval gun and two 37-millimetre autocannons are all that remain of its original armament.

Parakramabahu will operate primarily as an offshore patrol vessel (OPV) conducting maritime security missions.