The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) is to enhance its air capabilities with the addition of eight Bell 206 helicopters from the United States and an FT-7 trainer aircraft from Pakistan this year, the Daily Mirror learns.
Commander of the LAF Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa said that the United States will deliver eight TH-57 Sea Ranger Bell 206 helicopters to the SLAF in the first quarter of 2025.
This addition follows long-term discussions between Sri Lanka and the U.S. and aims to bolster the SLAF’s air capabilities. The TH-57 Sea Ranger, a military variant of the Bell 206, is primarily used for training and operational missions by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.
Furthermore, during bilateral talks with Pakistan during Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa’s visit, the SLAF secured a FT-7 trainer aircraft as a grant. The Commander said that the SLAF will receive the jet in the near future, further strengthening the Air Force’s fleet.
Last September, the SLAF received a Beechcraft King Air 360ER aircraft from the United States, followed by a Beechcraft King Air 350 from Australia in December. These aircraft are designed to improve Sri Lanka’s capabilities in search and rescue operations, drug interdiction, and combating trafficking and smuggling.
They will also enhance the country’s maritime surveillance efforts and reinforce US-Sri Lanka defence cooperation.
Air Marshal Rajapaksa said that with those aircraft the SLAF has already initiated surveillance operations in Sri Lanka’s seas to combat maritime threats such as drug trafficking, human smuggling, and illegal fishing, while also protecting local fishermen and naval personnel from piracy.
In addition to these new acquisitions, the SLAF is in the process of modernizing its fleet of Kfir fighter jets. An agreement signed with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in 2021 will see five Kfir jets upgraded.
The Commander confirmed that the upgraded C12 Kfir jets, replacing the older C2 and C3 models, will be integrated into the SLAF fleet in 2025. These jets will play a crucial role in surveillance operations across the Indian Ocean.
As part of its fleet expansion, the SLAF also procured two Chinese-made Y12 aircraft last year.
The SLAF is further enhancing its defence capabilities by acquiring modern drone security systems and new air defence and radar systems.
“By acquiring modern drone security units and advanced air defence weapons, the SLAF has initiated a programme in collaboration with the government to upgrade both the air defence and radar systems. As the government aims to boost the economy by enhancing the tourism industry, the Sri Lanka Air Force has also launched several programmes to support these efforts,” the commander said.