Air Force to get 8 Bell helicopters from the USA & trainer aircraft from Pakistan
- 5opn1
- January 2, 2025
- Aviation news
- Air Force to get 8 Bell helicopters from the USA & trainer aircraft from Pakistan
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The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) is to enhance its air capabilities with the addition of eight Bell 206 helicopters from the United States and an FT-7 trainer aircraft from Pakistan this year
Commander of the LAF Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa said that the United States will deliver eight TH-57 Sea Ranger Bell 206 helicopters to the SLAF in the first quarter of 2025.
This addition follows long-term discussions between Sri Lanka and the U.S. and aims to bolster the SLAF’s air capabilities. The TH-57 Sea Ranger, a military variant of the Bell 206, is primarily used for training and operational missions by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.
Furthermore, during bilateral talks with Pakistan during Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa’s visit, the SLAF secured a FT-7 trainer aircraft as a grant. The Commander said that the SLAF will receive the jet in the near future, further strengthening the Air Force’s fleet.
Last September, the SLAF received a Beechcraft King Air 360ER aircraft from the United States, followed by a Beechcraft King Air 350 from Australia in December.
