Cedric-class patrol boat

The Cedric class, formerly known as Arrow class, is a series of fast patrol/assault speed boats constructed by the Sri Lanka Navy for use by its littoral warfare units, the elite Special Boat Squadron (SBS) and the Rapid Action Boat Squadron (RABS).[3]

Class overview
NameArrow /Cedric
BuildersNaval Boat Building Yard
OperatorsSee Operators
CostRs. 1.7 million (US$ 17,000)
Built2005-2006
In service2006 onwards
In commission2006
Completed150+
Active150+
Lost
  • 1 (according to SL Military[1])
  • Many (According to Tamil Sources)
General characteristics
TypePatrol boat
Length23.6 ft (7.2 m)
Beam2.3 m
Propulsion2 x 200 bhp (150 kW) outboard motor
Speed30-35 knowts [2]
Crew3-5
Armament

The boat is capable of achieving high speeds and is highly maneuverable, meeting the requirements of these units in small boat operations. Armed with a high caliber gun or automatic grenade launcher as its primary weapon system and with multiple machine guns, the Arrow boats provides relatively high firepower despite its small size. It is also used by the navy for inshore monitoring operations.

History

The Arrow boat has been in service with the Sri Lanka Navy’s Special Boat Squadron since its development[4] as part of the Inshore Patrol Craft Project.[5] From mid 2008, it has also been issued to the newly created Rapid Action Boat Squadron. The Arrow boat was widely used by the Sri Lanka Navy against the LTTE’s Sea Tigers during the last phase of the Sri Lankan Civil War, known as the Eelam War IV.[6]

The 100th Arrow boat was launched by the Sri Lanka Navy on 11 September 2008.[7] A ceremony was held at the navy base SLNS Gemunu at Welisara to mark this event, presided over by the Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

Name Origin

These boats of similar type when they were used by the Sea Tigers, the SLN nick named them collectively, the 'Arrow' boats.[8] But the 23 foot long ones were named 'Super Sonic' boats by the Sea Tigers; as its class name.[9] Hence the name 'Arrow' was used by the Navy after its development/reverse engineering. [10] In 2016, the boat was renamed in honor of Commander Cedric Martenstyn, the Co-founder of the SBS and the lead designer of the boat.[11][12]

Development

These boats (of 16 foot and 23 foot long) were initially used by the Sea Tigers during the sea battles against Sri Lankan Navy.[13] In 2006, the navy located a Sea Tigers boat manufacturing yard in Trincomale, during a SBS operation, led by LCDR Mudiyanselage Bandula Dissanayake. The LTTE had been manufacturing the 16-foot boats where, which had been used by the Sea Tigers in their wolf-pack attacks. The SBS team found a boat buried in the ground and transported it to the Navy dockyard at Trincomalee. There the navy engineers reverse-engineered a version of this boat, which became the SLN’s first 16-foot Arrow Boat and went in to service that year. With the guidance and encouragement of then-SLN Commander VADM Wasantha Karannagoda, Navy engineers continued to experiment with different configurations of this base model. The SBS also developed a specific tactical formation for using these Arrow Boats, the Rapid Action Boat Squadron.[14]

The navy produces the Arrow at a unit cost of Rs. 1.7 million (US$17,000).[6] [15][11]

Design

The Arrow boat is powered by a single 200 bhp (150 kW) outboard motor. Another variant of the boat, fitted with two outboard motors has also been developed. The hull is made of strengthened fiberglass. The boat is 23.6 feet (7.2 m) long.[6][16] No armour is provided, with the intention of keeping the boat light enough to meet the primary requirements of speed and maneuverability.

The experiments yielded two more versions of the Arrow Boat, the 18-footer and the highly successful 23-foot model, which went into mass production. The 23-footer was manned by four people: a coxswain, main gunner, stern gunner, and side gunner. [17]

Armament

23 foot, the mass produced one, could be fitted with a 12.7 mm, 23 mm, or 30 mm main gun (some even were equipped with twin cannon versions); a 12.7 mm or automatic grenade launcher stern gun; and two 7.62 mm Chinese multi-purpose machine guns at the sides. Powered by two 250-horsepower engines, the boat boasted speeds of up to 35 knots. [18]

Operators

References
  1. https://slembassyusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Sri-Lankan-Humanitarian-Operation-Factual-Analysis.pdf
  2. https://nps.edu/documents/110773463/120130624/CTX+Vol+2+No+2.pdf/7e23b091-6c64-0081-b3b9-45e1a0f25072?t=1589935699254
  3. "Launching of 100th indigenous special designed fighting boat by the Sri Lanka Navy". Ravin Edirisinghe. Asian Tribune. 12 September 2008. Archived from the original on 14 September 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
  4. "Sri Lanka Navy".
  5. "SL Navy exports 9 Patrol Craft to Nigeria - EDB News".
  6. "Navy achieves superior firepower and manoeuvrability with in-house technology". Ranil Wijayapala. Daily News. Archived from the original on 2009-04-12. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
  7. "SLN launches 100th Arrow Boat". Dhaneshi Yatawara. Sunday Observer. 14 September 2008. Archived from the original on 18 September 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
  8. https://sangam.org/asymmetric-warfare-at-sea-the-case-of-sri-lanka/
  9. http://galledialogue.lk/assets/template/research_papers/2011/Prof_Rohan_Gunaratna.pdf
  10. https://sangam.org/asymmetric-warfare-at-sea-the-case-of-sri-lanka/
  11. "SL Navy renames Arrow Boats in honour of late Commander Cedric Martenstyn - Sri Lanka Latest News". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst | Breaking News and Latest News provider | Political | Sports | International | Business. 2016-10-08. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
  12. "The Island". www.island.lk. Archived from the original on 2016-10-18.
  13. https://sangam.org/asymmetric-warfare-at-sea-the-case-of-sri-lanka/
  14. "Learning from Our Enemies: Sri Lankan Naval Special Warfare against the Sea Tigers". Retrieved 2023-06-18.
  15. SureshikaThilakarathna. "Sri Lanka Navy exports nine homemade patrol craft to Nigeria". www.news.lk. Retrieved 2016-05-07.
  16. "Sri Lanka Navy". www.navy.lk. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  17. "Learning from Our Enemies: Sri Lankan Naval Special Warfare against the Sea Tigers". Retrieved 2023-06-18.
  18. "Learning from Our Enemies: Sri Lankan Naval Special Warfare against the Sea Tigers". Retrieved 2023-06-18.
  19. SL Navy exports 9 Patrol Craft to Nigeria
  20. "Sri Lanka Navy".
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