Sri Lanka Military Aviation

Sad to see people can't see an obvious corrupt deal.

We all know how 'Business' is done in Sri Lanka - why do people expect this to be any different? I wish people would stop being so naive.

$5 Million for 6 of these Chinese junk aircraft means they cost $833,000 each. Right.

As a comparison a brand new C-172 will cost $300,000. And that's with G1000 avionics and ADS-B in/out.

$833,000 will buy you a 4 year old Baron B-58 also with G1000 avionics. This can be used for coastal patrol, medevac, VIP transport and you can operate it from any airport in the country.

Of course no kickbacks are possible when buying these aircraft which is why they're not being bought.


So here's my guess about the breakdown of this deal:-

$2.5 Million purchase price. (Still too much but that includes the Chinese 'Cut')
$2.5 Million in kickbacks to senior air force staff and politicians.
$300,000 Commission based on a rate of 6%.

It's just another MiG deal.

Good deal for a few - terrible deal for the people of Sri Lanka.

Anyone from the Air Force involved in this is a disgrace to the uniform and the country.


Another deal that will not be investigated - a culture of impunity and zero accountability.

Yes but what about the rest? Didnt they receive 6 brand new F7-GS in 2008? Why were those "brand New" planes grounded after about 3-4 years? Sounds like another shady deal. There is no information as to why they were grounded even.

Now those less than 10 year old planes have to be overhauled to be used. Either they weren't new at all when receiving (which is strange since the GS version is optimise to SLAF specifications) or they are just terrible quality.

Two were overhauled in SL in 2017

Getting PT-6 are good. Cheap and they do the job. Also new 9nes were acquired since the old PT-6 had expired their flight hours save for about 4 or 5. But what's happening with F-7's? They now have I think 4 in service but weren't they refurbishing more?

Yes. I think the new PT-6s are for training purposes of the new female air force pilots that were introduced recently.

We do use the Cessna 150's for basic training aswell right?

They are producing PT6 for the foreign orders. These are brand new aircrafts. SLAF placed this order in 2015. These will replace older air frames SLAF got.

PT 6 is good low cost airplane as basic trainer and for acrobatic displays. Very suitable for small economies like us! Whole order was $5 million.

This is one of the cheapest solution. So Can someone please explain how this is 'Waste of money' ? Apart from just criticizing. Chinese aircrafts are the cheapest to maintain also! Even one western basic trainers would cost more than $ 5 million.

PT6 is a single-engine, dual-seat propeller trainer, it serves aviation schools in China for basic training of student pilots.



It can carry two crew members, including a student pilot and instructor pilot. It is also fitted with multi functional display, radio communication and navigation equipment, distance measuring equipment, rate of climb indicator and air data computer.

SLAF may put these 6 PT-6 aircraft in other airports other than the Anuradhapura base for training purposes.

Now there'll be more flying on the independence day! Our people should know to use a proper smoke system on any aircraft to make the parade more colorful! Pointless doing it at airshows with white smoke and not doing it on parades like this.

At least 5 operational( 5 flew in the indepence day)

The article has pictures - I thought they were taken at an Aviation museum.

Those are the actual 6 aircraft!

Don't look new to me - refurbished with a zero time engine most likely.

Do you know how many PT-6 are currently in SLAF fleet ? among them how many of them are active ? I am really curious why do we need more PT-6 aircraft for our country.

I think they would be used for acrobatics,and it's say's these are brand new,I think PT 6 is still in production

Oh jeez! Waste of money might be withdrawn from service since it's expensive for the Gov to maintain the aircraft. This is another order like MA60, Alstom locomotives etc..

When these are going to be ferried to Sri Lanka?