International Relations: Goa Shipyard Ltd to soon build a floating dock for the Sri Lankan Navy!

In an attempt to elevate India's bilateral relation with its neighbouring country, the Goa Shipyard Ltd is all set to establish a floating dock for Sri Lanka. The Vasco-based shipyard has paired up with the Sri Lankan Navy to set up this dry dock at the Trincomalee Naval Dockyard. A much-needed requirement for the Sri Lanka Navy, this floating dock will be delivered to Sri Lanka as a grant from India.

Dry dock to be set up within the next 30 months

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After lengthy discussions and Military Staff level meetings between India and Sri Lanka, the 2020 Cabinet Ministers in India gave a green flag to this gesture while approving GSL as the supplier. At present, Sri Lanka has dry docks that can only handle warships weighing less than 350 tonnes. Moreover, its functioning is also limited to underwater repair and service only.

With the addition of this Floating Dock that is valued at around $20 Million, Sri Lanka is likely to save more than ₹600 Million every year that it usually spends on repair work and servicing of its large vessels. As per reports, this facility is expected to be set up within the next 30 months.

Move to strengthen the bilateral ties

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Notably, this is not the first time GSL has partnered with the Sri Lankan Navy. Earlier in 2017 and 2018, the Sri Lankan Navy had procured two Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessels from Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL). With the signing of another agreement between Sri Lankan Navy and GSL, Colombo aims to strengthen its defence ties with New Delhi, thereby boosting the bilateral relationship between the two countries.