Lanka to purchase Chinese aircraft

3 March 2010 01:43 pm - 33 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka is to purchase six turboprop-powered MA60 transport aircraft from China with the help of a Chinese government preferred loan scheme, an aviation website quoted an official at Xian Aircraft as saying.

Sri Lanka is to receive two of its MA60s this year, with the remainder to be delivered in 2011, says the Xian official.

Sri Lanka's ports and aviation ministry confirms that the country is in negotiations to buy six MA60s for the air force. Four of the MA60s will be dedicated for use by the service, but the other two may end up at state-owned carrier Mihin Lanka, it adds.

The Sri Lankan air force currently relies on Antonov An-32s, Lockheed Martin C-130Ks and Chinese-built Harbin Y12s for its transport activities.

Chinese firms are helping to finance and build airports, roads and other infrastructure in Sri Lanka, and Beijing often makes soft loans to such countries, the aviation website reported.

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Comments - 33

Thursday, 04 March 2010 10:15 AM

Chinese MA60 is equipped with canadian made pratt+whitney turbopropeller engines which used by many aircrafts in the world.It has german made becker avionics electronic systems.Comparing the price for a same size aircraft by Boing or Lockheed for 50 million dollars,15 milion dollars for MA60 unit is a good deal.Burma also purchased 3MA60 units recently,so it is not a bad product anyway.

Thursday, 04 March 2010 07:06 AM

Lankans are generally late reactors.when the plane crashes or false we can learn.we are reactive........not pro active??????

Thursday, 04 March 2010 08:12 AM

"The shares of the srilankan airlines (biggest looser 99 billion /2009) is supposed to be bought back from the Emirates"
Why and who is profiting from it? Not the air lines itself and definitely not the Tax payers of SL.

Thursday, 04 March 2010 08:20 AM

Once JR told not to look at the teeth of a gifted horse, at the time when the India dropped the famous `Parrippu` over the Jaffna.

Thursday, 04 March 2010 08:59 AM

Well said Ranjith A.

Thursday, 04 March 2010 09:00 AM

Grow up guys...

Chinese are much better than west....:)

Thursday, 04 March 2010 09:37 AM

Why do we need transport aircraft?
all land routes are open, transport by road much cheaper.

Thursday, 04 March 2010 09:42 AM

we Sri Lankan (true Sinhalese) dont want to go and live it the stupid west. Another thing is we are talking about China here (Not "North" Korea or Myanmar) and it should be realised that the US owes China over 7 trillion dollars. Have you been to Shanghai? Believe me, I have and it is now the most technologically developed and most modern city in the world. Even better than Osaka, and way way better than New York. Actually, NY and London (especially the houses) look like old dumps compared with Shanghai, Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Kuala Lumpur – Wake up and stop being stupid, you will never get your dream Eelam.

Thursday, 04 March 2010 09:58 AM

Who will be the millioneer from the deal? What is the percentage of the commission? Wow what a love to the deal. There wont be any investigations because one of the Goons will be involved in the deal, therefore, Bank Lockers will not be checked. Better change the name to " Hondata Gahanda Puluwan Guwan Sevaya " Good luck to Mr. Commission.

Wednesday, 03 March 2010 11:59 PM

Where, except in China, are these flying? Who is the 'guinea pig' crew, tasked with operating these? Why can't we order them from proven, safe, companys. (Please read between the lines ...)

Thursday, 04 March 2010 10:24 AM

They play with our money. why don't you see this money wasting my dear fools (who voted this man last time)????????

Thursday, 04 March 2010 10:41 AM

Cheap thing no good -good thing no cheap= Burma and who else use them >?

Thursday, 04 March 2010 11:13 AM

Go and tell that to konde bandapu cheenunta

Thursday, 04 March 2010 11:56 AM

SriLankan Airlines slogan is "It is a TASTE of Paradise" whilst that of Mihin Air is "It is a WASTE" of Paradise

Thursday, 04 March 2010 12:40 PM

I am sure someone is getting richer from this deal. I wonder if they have done enough research to ensure these are the safest and are of good quality. People's lives depend on it.. I do not think that Western countries are crying over the loss of a sale of a few planes. Before China became generous to Sri Lanka, we have been taking help from these Western countries, who still continue to help. China is going to one day call the shots, and Sri Lanka will have to bow down. We will have to pay the piper.

Thursday, 04 March 2010 12:58 PM

brother its not about the look of the houses and the sky scrapers...in the streets....its the values the country carries...can you practice religion in china???? ,can you have more than 2 kids in china??? anwser is NO the list can go on....but the west is not that....you need to wake up without living in the dream world!!!!

Thursday, 04 March 2010 09:49 PM

What's the 'commission' here? ...

Wednesday, 03 March 2010 02:35 PM

All part of the 'Peace Dividend'...and adding to the huge loans negotiated since 2005

Wednesday, 03 March 2010 11:55 PM

And what is the commission on these aircraft? Who is getting it?

Wednesday, 03 March 2010 11:00 PM

Nuts? ... 'Boeing' or 'Air Bus,' please.

Wednesday, 03 March 2010 10:40 PM

All they are concerned about is how to make more 'commissions' ...

Wednesday, 03 March 2010 10:38 PM

Wow! Russian oil and Chinese aircraft ... what a combination! Road, ports and infracture devlopment, all by the Chineses - good for us! How much of our goods are these two 'giants' buying, compared to the EU & USA? Any learned economist, please clarify?

Wednesday, 03 March 2010 10:12 PM

We've mismanaged our own capacity for development ... so India and China get to exploit us.

Wednesday, 03 March 2010 08:09 PM

So now, there will be more crashes! Someone must have made a huge commission.

Wednesday, 03 March 2010 07:57 PM

All those who blame the West, would be more than happy to leave SL, if they ever got the chance to live in the West. But, they will never live in a country like China, North Korea or Myanmar, even if offered the same.

Wednesday, 03 March 2010 07:36 PM

They (China) are technologically more advanced than some of our 'white masters.'

Wednesday, 03 March 2010 07:20 PM

When are they, China, taking-over SL?

Wednesday, 03 March 2010 06:47 PM

Do not borrow often ... future generations will have to carry the burden.

Wednesday, 03 March 2010 06:46 PM

DON'T BELIEVE CHINA ... BIG CHEATERS AND LIARS ...

Wednesday, 03 March 2010 06:34 PM

"Mada in China" means "no quality at all"!

Wednesday, 03 March 2010 03:08 PM

China's game is claiming to "help" us by selling us equipment through loans and building development projects through loans and with Chinese workers.

Wednesday, 03 March 2010 02:48 PM

Made in CHINA ???

Wednesday, 03 March 2010 02:36 PM

the way to go as the west [US, UK & EU are the biggest losers due to their harassment of Sri Lanka.
Plus, I would support the trade deals with China both to say thanks you for allowing to crush the LTTE and to support on justly fighting HR (bogus) violations!

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Lanka to purchase Chinese aircraft

Comments - 33

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