• US specialists in country to train SL counterparts

The Sri Lanka Air Force is preparing to induct the brand new $ 19 million Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) donated to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) from the United States of America on Thursday (10) it is learnt.

The Beechcraft King Air 360ER aircraft arrived on the island last month, and will be inducted into the SLAF fleet on Thursday, the SLAF said. It is learnt that a group of specialists from the United States are in the country to train up Sri Lankan personnel to operate and maintain the aircraft. A similar aircraft, a Beechcraft King Air 350, also intended for maritime patrol and search and rescue, is expected to be donated to Sri Lanka from Australia in the coming months, it is learnt.

The Beechcraft King Air 360ER aircraft, equipped with thermal imaging cameras and maritime surveillance radar, was funded by the US Department of Defence’s Building Partner Capacity programme, and had been the source of discussions between the two countries since 2019.

“This advanced aircraft is designed to enhance Sri Lanka’s capabilities in search and rescue operations, drug interdiction, and combating trafficking and smuggling. It will also significantly improve the country’s maritime surveillance operations, while reinforcing US-Sri Lanka defence cooperation. This $ 19 million US Government grant includes the aircraft and support services, all provided at no cost to the Sri Lanka Air Force. The Beechcraft King Air 360ER is equipped with cutting-edge technology to boost Sri Lanka’s ability to patrol its waters and address maritime threats,” the US embassy said in a press release regarding the arrival of the aircraft in early September.

The aircraft will be handed over to the No. 3 Maritime Patrol Squadron of the SLAF later this year, following a three-month-long training programme on operating and maintaining the aircraft, conducted by personnel from the US Government.

The SLAF has a long history of operating Beechcraft aircraft in the roles of maritime patrol, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare since the 1980s. The addition of the two Beechcraft aircrafts to the SLAF’s fleet is expected to help improve Sri Lanka’s maritime security and contribute to safety and security in the Indian Ocean region.