Sri Lanka Military Aviation

Based on unofficial discussions.

According to the article above, a majority of SLAF's Russian/Ukrainian sourced aircraft are non-operational, including all the AN-32s and many of the Mil MI-17s.

Good news, but source?

All three MIL Mi 35P attack helicopters (of No.09 sqn) will be overhauled.

Hi, As far as I know, SLAF is supposed to receive the second Beech King Air 360ER from US before the end of this year. Any news or updates about this?

Hope the best for Sri Lanka 🇱🇰

Hi,
I do not want to explain or carry this conversation into a political topic.

Safety of airspace and Air power is a crucial part for every nation's national security. Every government should invest on this to maintain National Security and regional safety and cooperation.
Mentioned Aircrafts and Helicopters are for training purposes. Every Air force needs to maintain air power and Capable cadre is needed for that. TH57 Helicopters (Military designation for Bell206 Jet ranger Helicopters designed for US Navy) will provide Rotorcraft training which is an essential part of SLAF, Since Helicopters can be used for any kind of purpose with its reliability and versatility within the Island and around the Island. (E.g. : Natural Disasters, Medevac, Surveillance, Air Ambulance and all kind of evacuations)

FT-7p which is the training Tandem Seater version of F-7 fighter Jets will provide Advanced Jet training for Pilots who operates under No.05 Sqn which utilizes F-7s.

Please note that As a nation, Sri Lanka cannot afford newer equipment or aircrafts but to purchase or receive bit older or used equipment from other nations in-order to maintain Airpower. Because of that reason this will be a good cheaper move with less risk , instead of "doing nothing".
All these aircrafts types are easy to maintain and SLAF has the ability and technical knowledge to maintain.

And Also, Both TH57 and FT-7ps are Grants from USA and Pakistan respectively.

​
How risky is this move? Can Sri Lanka afford this financially? Why are they need this right now ?

Hi all,

Most recent new on SLAF,
AF is about to receive 8 units of TH-57 Sea Ranger + 2 additional units as spare parts as a grant from United States within 1st Q of 2025 and overhauled FT-7 from Pakistan Airforce.
https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-...tan/108-299279

Check the link for more info!

SMR 844 Brandnew Beechcraft SuperKing Air 360ER (N1284B) landed yesterday at RML. To be joined with No.08 Sqn.As a grant from USA, modified by US army, equiped with,

• Telephonics RDR-1700B synthetic aperture radar with LN-251 inertial navigation system
• FLIR Star Safire 380-HD electro-optical/infra-red sensors
• a dual, side-facing mission system console for two operators
• a full-motion video line-of-sight tactical datalink with mobile ad-hoc network (MANET) capability
• Cobham Flexcomm RT-7000 PMR tactical radio

According to Airforce news, airforce.lk, Airforce is seeking for C130s.https://www.airforce.lk/news.php?news=6460 not clear about overhauling existing c130s or buying used ones.

SLAF AN-32Bs have landed in Colombo from the Ukraine last night (11.06.2021) at around 1930hrs with a water salute and a small ceremony at the SLAF Base, Katunayake. Image - Asiri Fernando.
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Hi. They'll be landing at VCBI on the 11th June during dusk time. Everything has been reworked and are new. I shall look into the rest of the upgrades and let you know.

Hey Haleef, when are we to expect the An-32Bs arrival to CMB?
Do you know what changes/upgrades they have done to these 3 birds?
Thanks