![Image: Sri Lankan Navy](http://media.assettype.com/bairdmaritime%2Fimport%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fmedia%2Fk2%2Fitems%2Fsrc%2F12215a8874057a4dfbc9f1e896ed29a7.jpg?w=480&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max)
A refurbished Type 053 frigate formerly operated by China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) was formally handed over to the Sri Lankan government in a ceremony in Shanghai earlier this month.
The 111.7- by 12.4-metre Tongling will soon set sail for Sri Lanka and is expected to arrive by the end of June.
A Sri Lankan Navy official has said the frigate will also be deployed on search and rescue (SAR) missions in addition to conducting maritime security patrols.