View source for Cedric-class patrol boat

{{Short description|Class of speed boats for the Sri Lanka Navy}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin
| sclass = 2
}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = File:Cedric-Class Patrol Boat.jpg
| Ship caption = 
}}
{{Infobox ship class overview
| Name = Arrow /Cedric
| Builders = [[Naval Boat Building Yard (Sri Lanka)|Naval Boat Building Yard]]
| Operators = See ''[[#Operators|Operators]]''
| Class before = 
| Class after = 
| Subclasses = 
| Cost = Rs. 1.7 million (US$ 17,000)
| Built range = 2005-2006
| In service range = 2006 onwards
| In commission range = 2006
| Total ships building = 
| Total ships planned = 
| Total ships completed = 150+
| Total ships cancelled = 
| Total ships active = 150+
| Total ships laid up = 
| Total ships lost = 
* 1 (according to SL Military<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://slembassyusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Sri-Lankan-Humanitarian-Operation-Factual-Analysis.pdf |title=Humanitarian Operation Factual Analysis |access-date=2023-06-18 |archive-date=2023-04-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405083423/http://slembassyusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Sri-Lankan-Humanitarian-Operation-Factual-Analysis.pdf |url-status=dead |date=July 2011 |publisher=Sri Lanka Ministry of Defence }}</ref>)  
| Total ships retired = 
| Total ships preserved = 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header = 
| Header caption = 
| Ship class = 
| Ship type = [[Patrol boat]]
| Ship tonnage = 
| Ship displacement = 
| Ship length = {{convert|23.6|ft|abbr=on}}
| Ship beam = 2.3 m
| Ship height = 
| Ship draught = 
| Ship draft = 
| Ship depth = 
| Ship hold depth = 
| Ship decks = 
| Ship deck clearance = 
| Ship ramps = 
| Ship ice class = 
| Ship power = 
| Ship propulsion = 2 x {{convert|200|bhp|abbr=on}} outboard motor
| Ship sail plan = 
| Ship speed = 30-35 knots<ref name="CTE">{{Cite journal |title=Learning from Our Enemies: Sri Lankan Naval Special Warfare against the Sea Tigers |journal=Combating Terrorism Exchange |last=Chandradasa |first=Malaka |date=2012-05-01 |url=https://nps.edu/documents/110773463/120130624/CTX+Vol+2+No+2.pdf/7e23b091-6c64-0081-b3b9-45e1a0f25072?t=1589935699254 |volume=2 |issue=2 |pages=6-8 |issn=2162-6421 |via=[[Naval Postgraduate School]]}}</ref>
| Ship range = 
| Ship endurance = 
| Ship test depth = 
| Ship boats = 
| Ship capacity = 
| Ship troops = 
| Ship complement = 
| Ship crew = 3-5
| Ship time to activate = 
| Ship sensors = 
| Ship EW = 
| Ship armament = * 23 mm [[autocannon]] 
* [[PK machine gun|PKM]] [[7.62 mm]] [[machine guns]]
* 12.7 mm ZPU-1
| Ship armour = 
| Ship armor = 
| Ship aircraft = 
| Ship aircraft facilities = 
| Ship notes = 
}}
|}

The '''Cedric class''', formerly known as '''Arrow class''', is a series of fast patrol/assault [[speed boat]]s constructed by the [[Sri Lanka Navy]] for use by its [[littoral]] warfare units, the elite [[Special Boat Squadron (Sri Lanka)|Special Boat Squadron]] (SBS) and the [[Rapid Action Boat Squadron]] (RABS).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asiantribune.com/?q=node/13183 |title=Launching of 100th indigenous special designed fighting boat by the Sri Lanka Navy |access-date=2008-09-16 |work=Ravin Edirisinghe |publisher=Asian Tribune |date=12 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914060042/http://www.asiantribune.com/?q=node%2F13183 |archive-date=14 September 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> 

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 (Sri Lanka)|Special Boat Squadron]] since its development<ref name="Rename">{{Cite web |date=2016-10-05 |title=Sri Lanka Navy's Arrow Boats named as "Cedric" |url=https://news.navy.lk/eventnews/2016/10/07/201610071710/ |website=Sri Lanka Navy News}}</ref> as part of the Inshore Patrol Craft Project.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-05-07 |title=SL Navy exports 9 Patrol Craft to Nigeria |url=http://www.srilankabusiness.com/blog/navy.html |website=Sri Lanka Export Development Board}}</ref> 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]].<ref name="DN" />

The 100th Arrow boat was launched by the Sri Lanka Navy on 11 September 2008.<ref name="observer">{{cite web |url=https://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2008/09/14/sec02.asp |title=SLN launches 100th Arrow Boat |access-date=2008-09-16 |work=Dhaneshi Yatawara |publisher=Sunday Observer |date=14 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080918034705/http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2008/09/14/sec02.asp |archive-date=18 September 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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]].

==Development==
Designed under Commander Cedric Martenstyn according to the requirements of its elite unit, the Special Boats Squadron for a fast and maneuverable boat with high firepower, the navy developed the first prototype of the Arrow in 1994 and the boats were first used in combat in 2006. The navy produces the Arrow at a unit cost of Rs. 1.7 million (US$17,000).<ref name="DN">{{cite web |last=Wijayapala |first=Ranil |title=Navy achieves superior firepower and manoeuvrability with in-house technology |url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2006/12/08/fea03.asp |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412115022/http://www.dailynews.lk/2006/12/08/fea03.asp |archivedate=2009-04-12 |accessdate=2008-09-16 |work=Daily News}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Thilakarathna |first=Sureshika |date=2016-05-07 |title=Sri Lanka Navy exports nine homemade patrol craft to Nigeria |url=http://www.news.lk/news/sri-lanka/item/13241-sri-lanka-navy-exports-nine-homemade-patrol-craft-to-nigeria |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508115209/http://www.news.lk/news/sri-lanka/item/13241-sri-lanka-navy-exports-nine-homemade-patrol-craft-to-nigeria |archive-date=2016-05-08 |access-date=2016-05-07 |website=www.news.lk}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2016-10-08 |title=SL Navy renames Arrow Boats in honour of late Commander Cedric Martenstyn |url=https://www.newsfirst.lk/2016/10/08/sl-navy-renames-arrow-boats-honour-late-commander-cedric-martenstyn/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827174018/https://www.newsfirst.lk/2016/10/08/sl-navy-renames-arrow-boats-honour-late-commander-cedric-martenstyn/ |archive-date=2018-08-27 |access-date=2018-08-27 |work=Newsfirst |language=en-US}}</ref> 

In 2006, the navy located a Sea Tigers boat manufacturing yard in Trincomale, during a SBS operation, led by LCDR Mudiyanselage Bandula Dissanayake and was used to base 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]].<ref name="CTE" />

===Design===
The Arrow boat is powered by a single {{convert|200|bhp|abbr=on}} 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.<ref name="DN" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Naval Boat Building Yard |url=https://www.navy.lk/naval-boat-building-yard.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211002111718/https://www.navy.lk/naval-boat-building-yard.html |archive-date=2021-10-02 |access-date=2021-10-02 |website=Sri Lanka Navy}}</ref> 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 crewed by four people: a coxswain, main gunner, stern gunner, and side gunner.<ref name="CTE" />

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

==Operators==
<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->

* {{flag|Nigeria}}
** [[Nigerian Navy]] - 9 boats<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-05-07 |title=SL Navy exports 9 Patrol Craft to Nigeria |url=https://www.dailymirror.lk/109166/SL-Navy-exports-Patrol-Craft-to-Nigeria |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160714164048/https://www.dailymirror.lk/109166/SL-Navy-exports-Patrol-Craft-to-Nigeria |archive-date=2016-07-14 |website=Daily Mirror}}</ref><!--
: Nine Arrow-class boats were exported to Nigeria in 2016 for the use of the [[Nigerian Navy]] in a deal worth USD 4.2 million.-->
* {{flag|Seychelles}}
** [[Seychelles Coast Guard]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-10-20 |title=Galle Dialogue 2019 to commence tomorrow in Colombo |url=https://news.navy.lk/eventnews/2019/10/20/201910201005/ |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=Sri Lanka Navy News}}</ref>
* {{flag|Sri Lanka}}
** [[Sri Lanka Navy]] - 100+ boats<ref name="observer"/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://lankadailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/arrow-boats-sri-lanka-navy.jpg Picture at Lanka Daily News]

[[Category:Fast attack craft of the Sri Lanka Navy]]
[[Category:Patrol boat classes]]
[[Category:Landing craft]]
[[Category:Military boats]]
[[Category:Ships built in Sri Lanka]]