The United States Ship (USS) Tulsa (LCS 16) visited Sri Lanka on the 27th of August 2025. Terminating the stay at the Port of Colombo, she departed the country on the 29th of August 2025. The ship was called to Sri Lanka in 2021 to take part in the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise with the Sri Lanka Navy.
At this call, the port of Colombo has provided a short break for the ship and her crew for husbandry purposes such as refueling and naval replenishments before USS Tulsa continues her missions in Indo-Pacific waters.
USS Tulsa received a warm welcome on both her visits to Sri Lanka from the Navy and local authorities of the country. Such hospitalities highlight the strong cooperation between the two navies of the country that support an independent and free Indo-Pacific region with safe and sustainable sea routes.
About USS Tulsa (LCS 16)
The USS Tulsa (LCS 16) is a Littoral Combat Ship under the United States Navy. The ship belongs to the independent class, and littoral combat ships are designed for operations close to shore as well as in the open sea. The ship is named after the city of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and was commissioned into service in 2019. It is fast, flexible, and able to do different missions in maritime activities.
The ship is around 127 meters (418 feet) long and can travel at speeds over 40 knots (74 km/h), which makes it one of the fastest surface ships in the Navy. The ship usually has the capacity to carry around 40 to 70 crew members depending on the size of the mission. The USS Tulsa (LCS 16) has a special hull. It is built with an aluminum trimaran hull, which is different from the traditional steel monohull most warships use. The USS Tulsa (LCS 16) is a three-hull design ship, which is a special trademark of the Independence-class littoral combat ships.
The three-hull design is important because it gives the ship greater stability at high speeds. The wide deck allows more space for helicopters, drones, and other mission equipment. It also helps ships to move smoothly and quickly even in rough coastal waters.
In terms of technology, littoral combat ships (LCS), like the USS Tulsa (LCS 16), have advanced navigation systems, modern communication equipment, and automated systems. It is also equipped with helicopters, drones, and high-speed boats and added flexibility in operations.
Source: Wikipedia, Sri Lanka Navy
