Looks like we are going to get SU30MKI. but not sure until they officialy order. SLAF have to upgrade their jet trainers also. We need to go further from K8 if we are going to use SU30.

For Navy it is very good to have Frigate. Gepard Class is very good frigate class. Actual order values of this frigate deal is less than this SL guardian article. total ship value with all other expenses is US$ 158.5 million. Recently Vietnam ordered two of these frigates in 2006 for USD $350 million.

It's not the SU 30MKI we are getting but the SU30K which is initial batch of Indian Air force used. IAF returned these to Russia once they received Custom Upgraded MKI Variant. 30K is a Aircraft without TVC nozzles and Canard-less (MKI Features). however it's good that we are getting SU 30 series class fighters since we could use them for patrol duties.

For Geppard Class, we are getting the Patrol variant without Missile Launchers. instead they are getting fitted out with Artillery canons with the Helipad and Hanger.

I am a bit sceptical about the SL guardian article as it is a very badly written piece (if you look from part 1) both grammatically and factually (India protesting against YAK 130??) . A school kid's assignment will be better written and arranged than this.

The Gepard 5.1 frigate is good but I have my concerns about the customisation our Navy are said to be doing (from an earlier Russian media article). Apparently our Navy or whoever is finalising the order wants all missiles removed and instead replaced with standard guns.

Some might argue missiles might be an overkill but if we are mordenizing the navy we should train and have the capability for our navy in the latest weapons. Even the Bangaladeshis are ordering Gepards but without doing away the missiles...

BTW, does anyone know why the Indian air force returned these few SU 30 jets which is of interest now? Were there some issues with this batch?

I believe (and read somewhere) that they acquired SU-30K as a stop Gap till the MKI Order fulfilled. so they are hardly used batch i guess. yes i too believe that we should've acquired the Geppard class ships with Missile capability. i think it's time we should move away from conventional tactics and move with the tech. and it's a waste Navy isn't using any of the Helipads of the ships with Choppers. back in the day SLAF has protested when Navy tried to acquire Choppers for their ships.

Present SLAF commander recently said in the interview that they are not against Navy using Helicopters. Most probably Navy already requested that. Sayura, Samudura, Sagara and recent Sayurala all capable of handling choppers. Sindurala which is gonna join next year also can handle choppers. But its up to government. They are the one who approved it or reject it.

According to following article two Fast Missile Vessels, two Frigates, two Fast Patrol Boats and two Corvettes will join our fleet in coming years apart from Sindurala (Sister ship of Sayurala). Corvettes will definitely have missile capabilities like Nandimithra & Suranimala.

Sri Lanka Looking to Buy 6 Ex-Indian Air Force Su-30K Aircraft

Sri Lanka’s local media has reported that Colombo is interested in purchasing six ex-Indian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30K fighter aircraft that have been grounded in Belarus.

The negotiations were held last year from November 2-4 between company representatives of Lanka Logistics and Technologies Limited, fully owned by the Government of Sri Lanka, and Russia’s Irkut Corporation at 558 Aircraft Repair Plant, in Baranovichi, Belarus, Colombo’s news agency SL Guardian reported last week.

Moscow has already sold 12 former Indian jets to Angola, and is reportedly waiting to sell 6 to Sir Lanka.

The Sri Lankan government had previously been looking at the Chinese-Pakistani JF-17, however,this was met with protest by India who in turn suggested a procurement of its own development, the LCA Tejas.

Instead, the government is looking at possibilities to buy 6 overhauled SU30MKI to “enhance the national security”.

However, the report points out that a lack of trained pilots in the Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) could prove fielding the fighters difficult without additional funding for a new fighter training program and more advanced training aircraft.

Tomorrow Sunday news papers (2017-10-01) newspapers reported that Cabinet decided to halt approval for Russian frigate. Their main reason was India donating ships for SL Navy and Japan's recent help for 2 patrol boats for coast guard. So no need to buy high tech ship.

Corrupted Politicians never allow that kind of decisions. They are spending millions of dollars for their usage. Specially this government did nothing to upgrade military. They are saying that now USA is our best friend. They won international community, but couldn't buy at least one new C130 for air force. We are still using more than 45 years old C130. The new AOPV which joined navy ordered in 2014 by previous regime.

This is what india also want. They want us to use their 2nd hand old technology garbage. Don't be surprised if this regime decide to buy HAL Dhruv or HAL Thejas. Not because to upgrade military, to because satisfy india.

Feeling sad about our military and as citizen.

No,Sunday Times reported today that the cabinet has approved the Proposal to acquire the Gepard 5.1

Cabinet approves purchase of Rs.24 billion Russian frigate on credit line

Sri Lanka will sign a deal with Russia to procure a Gephard 5.1 Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) for the Navy, the Cabinet of Ministers decided last Tuesday.

The unanimous decision came on a recommendation from President Maithripala Sirisena who is also the Minister of Defence.

As reported in the front page lead story of the Sunday Times last week, the Russian Government will extend credit to the tune of US$ 135 million (Rs.20 billion) exclusive of 15 percent of Sri Lanka Government’s contribution. The total ship value including on board spares and ammunition is placed at US$ 158.5 million (Rs.24 billion). This is besides a further Government commitment of US$ 7 million (Rs.1 billion) for training of Navy personnel.

The Government will pay a four percent interest on the credit extended by the Russian Government. Payments will be semi-annual in equal instalments within ten years including a grace period of five years. The Russian loan component is the remaining amount of a credit line of US$ 300 million which expired in 2010. It has since been re-negotiated.

Now, the Department of External Resources (in the Ministry of Finance) will finalise details for the signing of the credit agreement with Russia.

However Today Lankadeepa(2017-10-01) political article reported that decision was postponed due to objection from cabinet members. Don't know who is telling truth.!! but we can see what is the exact decision in near future.

And also there were no information about this approval in the official approved cabinet decision website.

We could've gone with a decision like the Vietnamese. i think the last 2 Vessels will get fitted out in Vietnam with collaboration with Russians. since we do have Technical know how on Military vessels (Jayasagara and Sagarawardene and Colombo Class FACs), we could've gone with a deal with CDL. at-least will get the Technical know how on how to assemble large military vessels domestically. but i don't think our pea sized brained politicians couldn't even think about such decision

Before buying expensive rust buckets or expensive flying toys better work on that $46billion debt



...otherwise will end up like a Greek island of the Indian Ocean

This thread is about military discussion. Not about Economy.

And also National Security is one of the main priority of a country. If country waste millions of dollars for Corruptions of Politicians, We don't think spending's of national security is so much burden. BTW we are island nation and don't need to describe importance of the Navy.

...This deal is for remaining s of defense credit line from Russia. So good opportunity to get this type of vessel. If we don't use this, we might lose the chance.

This thread is about military AVIATION...not about maritime security...either way you need money to buy which come from health of the economy

Yes indeed it's a good Opportunity. since we already have good relations with the Russians, we can make the most out of this for Overhauling and buy those SU 30s. all in all at least some sanity prevails not buying that crappy Tejas which Indians trying to force it upon us. not even IAF is in favour of them.