• ‘Before, we used to run into bunkers when jets flew-over, from now, we hope

in the future, our children will run out to see them’: Sundearasan

• SLAF in talks with US to expand C-130 Hercules fleet, improve MDA

The Sri Lanka Air Force plans to become a more inclusive force by increasing the intake of women and minorities to the force structure in the future, Air Force Commander Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa said yesterday (14).

Responding to a question at a press conference regarding the upcoming 73rd anniversary of the SLAF (2 March), Air Marshal Rajapaksa said that the SLAF will endeavour to improve inclusivity of all communities as Sri Lanka is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multi-linguistic country. He recalled that before the internal conflict gathered steam, the minorities were well represented in the Sri Lankan armed forces.

When asked about the SLAF’s plans to make the force more inclusive, Air Marshal Rajapaksa told The Daily Morning that the SLAF will continue to induct women pilots to the SLAF and is keen to see the force become more inclusive with better participation by all communities in the country. “We want all communities in Sri Lanka in the SLAF. This is why we have decided to have a recruitment stall at the exhibition in Jaffna. We see a huge potential in the youth from all communities, we want to give them an opportunity to serve Sri Lanka and become skilled professionals. We want broader ethnic participation in the SLAF,” Rajapaksa opined.

Responding to a question by the press, regarding conducting ‘Air Tattoo 2024’ for the 73rd anniversary in Jaffna being perceived as insensitive due to the historical use of airpower during the internal conflict, Rajapaksa said that the SLAF has been in Jaffna and working closely with the community for a long time and had not received any indication that air operations or their presence was found to be sensitive to the residents. “We are already in Jaffna, and we have not found this to be an issue. We are working together with the community. We are getting a lot of support from them and they have understood that we are part of them and they are part of us. That is already established. So there is no ambiguity that there will be any misunderstanding regarding this,” the Air Force commander said.

He noted that the air displays which will take place over Jaffna, with participation from the Indian Air Force is a demonstration of a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) mission, and not include combat demonstrations. “The demonstration will be about HADR, it is for the first time open to the public, it will be important for the fishing community, who at times need assistance at sea, or for the public regarding how we can respond to support them during events like floods and tsunami. This will help the community have a better understanding of how to work with us during crisis”

Responding to the question about sensitive nature of air operations over Jaffna, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Yalpanam (CCIY) Governor T.Y Sundearasan said: “We, from the CCIY have no political affiliation, we want our community to prosper, our industries and businesses to grow. So we have partnered with the SLAF. Yes, we had an issue with the Air Force before, during the conflict, when a Jet or a helicopter flew over, we ran for cover into bunkers. Our hope is that following ‘Air Tattoo 2024’ that we can run out to the open when we hear aircrafts and see them fly by. We want this change, so we are happy to be partners for this event.”

Breaking tradition, the SLAF has planned to celebrate its 73rd anniversary, themed ‘Wings of Friendship’ in Jaffna, via a five-day-long Technology and Educational exhibition ‘Air Tattoo 2024’ and other community service activities. The Air Force has commenced a community service project with support from the corporate sector and well-wishers to renovate 73 underdeveloped schools in the Northern Province as part of the 73rd anniversary. Rajapaksa said that the fund generated from the ‘Air Tattoo 2024’ exhibition, where the business community from Jaffna and other parts of the island will have stalls, will be reinvested in community service projects. The SLAF has also undertaken to provide 73,000 books which have been requested by academic institutions, and schools in the Northern Province, and called on corporate entities and civil society to join them. In line with the celebrations, the SLAF plans to donate a Gas Turbine engine to the Engineering Faculty of Jaffna University as a study model for its students.  

The CCIY is partnering with the SLAF to showcase the industrial and business community in Jaffna at the exhibition, and used the press conference to invite local and international businesses and investors to consider Jaffa as a potential investment hub as the peninsular and the northern province is improving its regional connectivity.

The Sri Lanka Air Force also revealed that they are in discussions to acquire two Lockheed Martin C-130 tactical airlift aircraft to complement the two C-130K aircrafts of No.02 Squadron.

Responding to a question by The Daily Morning, Air Marshal Rajapaksa said that they have requested the United States to acquire two newer versions of the C-130 family of tactical lift aircraft.    

“The Sri Lanka Air Force has launched several programmes to acquire aircraft and update our technologies. We have already requested two C-130’s from the US Air Force. We are negotiating with them to get a newer model than what is currently in our inventory (C-130K). So that is being discussed,” Rajapaksa said. 

He added that Sri Lanka recently inducted two new Y-12IV light transport aircrafts to the fleet as well. The Air Force chief stated that Sri Lanka Air Force was not looking to acquire expensive war planes or build a large fighting force in the near future, with their focus being on capacity building to improve maritime domain awareness in the Indian Ocean, and to be better prepared to respond to HADR missions.

In line with the current requirements, Rajapaksa said that the SLAF will soon induct two maritime patrol aircrafts, one Beech King Air 360ER from the United States, and a Beech King Air 350 from Australia. Both aircrafts are donations from the respective foreign governments to Sri Lanka.

“We will utilise these aircrafts to improve our maritime domain awareness. Looking into the future, we have to envisage what kinds of threats we will have to face. One of the significant challenges is maintenance of peace in the Indian Ocean region. It is imperative to maintain such for the sustainable development of Sri Lanka. So it is imperative for the SLAF to protect airspace and seas which we are responsible for in the Indian Ocean. The two BeechCraft aircraft will join our fleet soon,” Rajapaksa said.

He noted that the SLAF was also planning to upgrade their pilot training and helicopter capacity, adding that a key priority was to overhaul existing helicopters to sustain UN peacekeeping missions which Sri Lanka contributed to.