GSL Delivers Second AOPV to Sri Lankan Navy

By Editor 16-Apr-2018

Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) has delivered second Sri Lanka Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel (AOPV) to the Sri Lankan Navy at Vaddem, Vasco da Gama, 25 days ahead of schedule, continuing with its unique track record of delivering ships ahead of contractual deadline for the last four years.

The vessel will be the largest and most advanced ship in the Sri Lankan Navy fleet. This is the fourth Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) delivered in the current financial year. The ceremony has been attended by Chitranganee Wagiswara, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, Admiral N B J Rosayro, Chief of Staff of Sri Lanka Navy, Rear Admiral (Rtd) Shekhar Mital Chairman & Managing Director of GSL, directors and senior officials of Sri Lankan Navy, Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and GSL.

The SLOPV Project for building two large size ships is one of the most significant defence cooperation between India & Sri Lanka and one of the largest export contracts, being executed by GSL currently for any friendly country. With this, the shipyard has succeeded in reducing build period of 2,500 Tonnes OPV to nearly three years from over five years taken till about three years ago.

Speaking on the occasion, Rear Admiral (Rtd) Shekhar Mital has said that the state-of–the-art and largest ship in the Sri Lanka Naval fleet would help meet the increasing requirement of the Sri Lanka Navy for undertaking policing and patrolling of its vast Exclusive Economic Zone. “Great care, attention and forethought have gone in ensuring that the vessel is built to meet highest standards and the same has been validated in the harbour and sea trials, where ship has achieved all design specifications, to the satisfaction of our special friend Sri Lanka Navy,” he said.

While thanking GSL for delivering two vessels ahead of schedule to Sri Lankan Navy, Chitranganee Wagiswara has said that the delivery of ships to Sri Lanka Navy ahead of schedule showed the excellent shipbuilding talent of GSL staff and its leadership. “These deliveries of warships not only immensely enhance the Naval capabilities of Sri Lanka Navy, but also strengthen the close links between Sri Lanka and India,” she said.