US Coast Guard to transfer fourth vessel to SLN

US and Sri Lankan officials held what Navy headquarters called preliminary discussions regarding the transferring of the EX-U.S. Coast Guard Medium Endurance Cutter USCGC Decisive to the Sri Lanka Navy.

The meeting was chaired by Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Saman Perera and the Chief of the Office of Defence Cooperation U.S. Embassy in Colombo, Commander Sean Jin.

The ship is scheduled to join the Sri Lanka Navy’s fleet in 2025 after undergoing necessary modernization to meet the operational requirements.

The Sri Lanka Navy previously acquired three vessels, namely SLNS ‘Samudura’ (P 621), SLNS ‘Gajabahu’ (P 626), and SLNS ‘Vijayabahu’ (P 627), from the U.S. Coast Guard as part of its fleet expansion.

Navy Hq said: “These ships are effectively carrying out operations, both within Sri Lanka’s maritime borders and in international waters, to address illegal activities, including non-traditional maritime threats, and to safeguard freedom of navigation. To enhance its maritime operations, the Sri Lanka Navy will acquire ships that meet the current requirements for maintaining a fleet with high endurance and operational efficiency.”