Ayman Amzein.
Tripoli, 23 June 2013:
Benghazi Naval Base has acquired a new French-made speedboat as part of a move to upgrade its fleet and help protect Libya’s coastline.
The naval vessels already stationed in Benghazi’s marine basin all sounded their horns to welcome the new arrival, named ‘Janzour,’ at a ceremony to mark the occasion.
The 20-metre long, four-metre wide vessel can reach speeds of up to 30 knots. It is one of two military speedboats ordered by the Libyan Navy as part a fleet rejuvenation plan to upgrade equipment to protect the country’s coastline, according to the head of the Benghazi Marine Base press office, Colonel Mehdi Abu-Khamada.
The second speedboat, named ‘Ekrima’ has been stationed at Tobruk Naval Base. These vessels, Abu-Khamada said, will provide protection to the country’s eastern shores.
The two boats are part of a 50-vessel order signed with French manufacturer Sillinger at the Tripoli Military Fair in January this year. The company recently delivered 30 semi-rigid fast patrol boats, which put on a high-speed display in Tripoli harbour.