Sri Lanka Navy (SLN)'s Fast Attack Squadron intercepted an LTTE boat movement in the Pulmoddai seas yesterday night. A total of 14 LTTE crafts were sailing along the Pulmoddai coastline. Navy's Israeli built Super Dvora MK I/II fast attack craft attacked the rebel boat movement, destroying two boats and critically damaging another 3.
LTTE boats were hugging the coastline as a strategy to avoid naval patrols. However, this allowed the SLN and SLA ground troops deployed along the coastline attack the boat movement effectively and accurately. LTTE cadres on board the two destroyed craft are presumed killed (between 10-15 cadres were suspected to be on board). A further 3 rebel boats were seriously damaged by SLN fire. The fate of the crew of these crafts is unknown. Rest of the LTTE boats retreated towards Mullathiv.
LTTE boats are known to have a 30MM weapons system which outperforms the 23mm systems mounted in SLN inshore patrol craft.
I do believe the SLN Inshore Patrol Craft also show in the picture are locally built and their main armament being a 12.7mm gun and not 23mm.
ReplyDeleteUnconfirmed reports indicate that a LTTE vessel was sunk 180km south of Galle this morning.
ReplyDeletewasn't a large vessel. Several explosions which occured when it caught fire have lead to suspicions about possible LTTE arms smuggler craft.
ReplyDeleteThe vessle had not heeded the navy signels and had retured fire with medium caliber weapons. navy had then fired on her and set her ablaze.
ReplyDeleteMost of the IPCs are locally built.
And the main armament is a 12.7mm MG, the 23mm guns with the typhoon mounts are on FACs.
The tigers might well have 30mm guns but wait till the Bushmasters are mounted on our FACs and the tigers will get the hell they deserve. The navy should get 30mm Air burst rounds. would do us a world of good.
wasn't there a dispute regarding bushmaster installation?
ReplyDeleteAs far as I'm aware the order has not been placed yet... in the mean time our guys have to suffer with the 23mm guns which are ment for anti-aircraft use and not surface to surface...
ReplyDeleteand the LTTE can fire an SLN craft using their 30mmswithout coming into the firing range of 23mms. This is why SLN has lost nearly 5 Dvoras in the recent past.
ReplyDeleteHoweveer SLN's deep sea missile vessels such as Sayura and Samudura are still way ahead of LTTE's Muraj class attack craft (which are the best in their armory).
The vessel sunk off Dondra point had been carrying 152mm,130mm Artillery shells and 120mm mortar rounds. The navy had recovered several ammo boxes from where the ship sank.
ReplyDeleteSayura and samudura's Gabriel Mk2 Anti ship missiles may be inactive...but luckily their 40mm bofors can still do great damage at long ranges(10~11km). And I believe both FMV’s are also armed with two 23mm on typhoon mounts.
The Super Dvora Mk.III has been in service since 2002. About time we got a few into our arsenal as well.
ReplyDeleteI guess we are now paying the price for not refitting our vessels with the 30mm guns. I hope the Government will stop procrastinating and get our boys the proper equipment to do their job.
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