Sri Lanka to buy eight multi-role combat aircraft

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka will shortly call proposals to buy at least eight multi-role combat aircraft to replace its ageing fleet used during a civil war that ended in 2009, the bulk of which is now grounded, Minister Rajitha Senaratne said.

Although the Sri Lanka Air Force had seven Israeli-made Kafir aircraft on its books, only one is now operational, he said.

There were seven Mig 23/27 variants, none of which were operational.

Out of four F-7DS aircraft, only two were in use, Minister Senaratne said. There were four other F-7 variants that were also not in operation, he said.

Although the country was no longer at war, there was national defence and maritime protection requirements, Minister Gayantha Karunathilaka said. (Colombo/Aug10/2016)