Sri Lankan Navy personnel to get special training on Chinese frigate

The vessel is expected to be handed over to Sr Lankan Navy later this year

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A batch of Sri Lankan Navy personnel will undergo a specialised training on a frigate used by China's People Liberation Army Navy. 

The Jangwei I class frigate, which was deployed as Tongling in the Chinese Navy until 2015, is expected to be handed over to the island nation later this year.

A company of 110 Sri Lankan Navy personnel, including 92 sailors and 10 officers, will leave for China by the end of this month for the training, reported Colombo-based Sunday Times.

The vessel has been given a new pennant number P-625. It is equipped with a main turret holding dual Type 79 100 mm cannons and two Type 76A dual-37 mm Anti-Aircraft Guns at the aft.

The Sri Lanka Navy’s recent additions include Indian built advanced off shore patrol vessels (AOPVs) SLNS Sayurala (P623) and SLNS Sindurala (P624).

P623 is currently Sri Lankan Navy's largest ship with a displacement of about 2,300 tons.