11.11.2010
A patrol ship was laid down yesterday for Latvian coast guard. The solemn keel-laying ceremony was held at Riga Shipyard.
Latvian president Valdis Zatlers and military officials attended the triumphant ceremony.
Vasily Melnik, adviser to Latvian president told in Sept during the meeting with economy minister Artis Kampars that aluminum-alloy hull of the ship is planned to be completed early 2011; hull completion and launching is scheduled in summer 2012.
According to Melnik, one German-built
Swath class patrol ship will be delivered to Latvian Navy in Apr 2011. Two more ships are being constructed by German shipyard
Abeking & Rasmussen, other two will be built in Latvia.
Rimants Strimaitis, commander-in-chief of Latvian Naval Forces said that five
Swath class patrol ships will shift currently operational four
Storm class and five
Kristaps class patrol boats. All of them were built in 60's.