Six brand new PT-6 aircraft purchased from China joins SLAF fleet

19 October 2018 01:44 am - 13 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Six brand new PT-6 aircraft purchased from the China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) for primary training of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has joined the SLAF fleet.

Air Force Commander Kapila Jayampathy signed the formal final acceptance of the aircraft after they were assembled at the Aircraft Engineering Wing (AEW) at SLAF Base, Katunayake on Wednesday.

Air Marshal Kapila Jayampathy signed the acceptance of the aircraft at AVIC Hongdu in Nanchang, China on May 15.

In 2015, the National Security Council approved the request to purchase the six PT-6 aircraft at a cost of more than USD 5 million.

PT-6 has been widely used by China’s Air Force and countries such as the United States, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

PT-6 aircraft is a single-engine, tandem seat propeller trainer capable of performing primary flight training

SLAF said the aircraft, painted in the recently introduced colour scheme of the SLAF, would be utilized at the No1 Flying Training Wing at the SLAF Academy, China Bay for the training of newly enlisted pilots. The aircraft will also form the nucleus of an aerobatic display team to be formed in the SLAF.

SLAF Chief of Staff , Air Vice Marshal Sumangala Dias, members of the air force Board of Management and representatives of the Aviation Engineering Division of the M/S CATIC of China, the manufacturer and vendor of the Aircraft were attended the ceremony.(Darshana Sanjeewa)

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Comments - 13

Maru Friday, 19 October 2018 01:51 AM

So the airforce is going to protect its skies with this?

Hautaum Friday, 19 October 2018 09:24 AM

It is also going to worse our acconoy nothing else.

Arujuna Friday, 19 October 2018 02:14 AM

We don’t know how deep the Indian Intelligence has penetrated into Sri Lanka,the situation is very dangerous.In this context we associating closer with China is the most sensible thing available to us.

Saman Friday, 19 October 2018 02:18 AM

Toy aircrafts!

Sandman Friday, 19 October 2018 05:06 AM

The fact is, SLA currently has only 1 Kfir fighter and 2 Chinese F7s as combat capable aircrafts. Buying 6 trainers at USD 5 million when the economy is about to be collapsed and the SLR is at all time low is beyond belief.

Akila Friday, 19 October 2018 08:46 AM

I think we have far too many Pilots

DD Friday, 19 October 2018 05:19 AM

The war is over but threat from outside in the form of India is permanent. Whatever the military buys as wepons it must be principally based on this never ending threat. Sri Lanka is too weak to fight a war with India but it should prepare to fight and win battles with India, before China or America come to our aid.

Jaliya Friday, 19 October 2018 07:12 AM

Article reads PT-6 has been widely used by China’s Air Force and countries such as the United States, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka ... Are you confused ??? I am ... let's not insult the USAF they have no part in Chinese made PT-6 .... If you find a PT-6 aircraft in the US it would be in a museum even that I doubt !

RW Friday, 19 October 2018 08:17 AM

Hey, unlike you there are many educated Sri Lankans in the USA,that includes myself working for the USAF. We use PT-6 as a trainer so are the Marines Air Wing. Don’t bullshit empty head.

ET Friday, 19 October 2018 08:45 PM

This Jaliya is dangerous individual,and a threat to Sri Lanka.

joshua Friday, 19 October 2018 08:21 AM

Good time to import when the rupee is having loose motion

Lord Wolfstein Friday, 19 October 2018 09:47 AM

Hopefully they do not have parachutes made in China.

Banda Friday, 19 October 2018 10:58 AM

Parachutes are made by the Indian terror outfit RAW,so you can also use them.

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Six brand new PT-6 aircraft purchased from China joins SLAF fleet

Comments - 13

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