Sri Lanka receives refurbished Jiangwei I-class frigate from China

The former PLAN frigate Tongling now carries the pennant number P625. Photo c/o Sri Lankan Navy

The Sri Lankan Navy (SLN) has formally received a refurbished Jiangwei I-class (Type 053H2G) frigate from the Chinese government on 5 June 2019 at Shanghai Zhonghua Shipyard in China attended by the SLN’s Chief of Staff Rear Adm. Nishantha Ulugetenna.

Previously known as the frigate Tongling (542) of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and first commissioned in 1994, the ship now carries the pennant number P625 which indicates the intention to use it as a patrol vessel rather than a frigate. It is expected to receive its new name once it is formally commissioned with the SLN.

The ship will be sailing for Sri Lanka on 14 June 2019, and is expected to arrive before the end of the month.

The ship’s hand-over was part of an US$18 million arms procurement deal signed between the Chinese and Sri Lankan governments in 2016.

The Jianwei I-class frigate has a length of 111.7 meters, a beam of 12.4 meters, a full-load displacement of 2,300 tons, and a crew of 110 officers and sailors. 

Initial photos showed that the 6-cell HQ-61 surface-to-air missile system appears to have been removed, and is expected to also not have the 6 box launchers for the YJ-83 anti-ship missiles.



[1] Jane’s Defence Weekly
[2] Naval Today
[3] The Sunday Times Sri Lanka