Authorities finally wake up – SLAF to get a modernised fleet

- Since the end of the war in 2009, protecting Sri Lanka’s national security has been of utmost importance, but successive governments failed to maintain the fleet

- SLAF is also proceeding with the overhaul of several Mi-17 helicopters

-The U.S. is to gift 10 TH-57 Sea Ranger (Bell 206) helicopters

After months of highlighting concerns expressed by the tri-forces over the deteriorating fleet of the air force, army and navy, steps have finally been taken to modernise and upgrade the aircraft fleet of the Sri Lanka Air Force following severe shortages that constrained emergency deployments during the recent ‘Cyclone Ditwah’ disaster response operations.

Despite limited resources, the SLAF played a critical role in rescue and relief operations during Cyclone Ditwah, which caused widespread devastation across the country in late November 2025. Since the end of the war in 2009, protecting Sri Lanka’s national security has been of utmost importance, but successive governments failed to maintain the fleet of tri-forces, which led to substandard qualities being maintained by the army, navy and air force. This eventually led to Sri Lanka having to depend on foreign partners to bring in their fleet to help the country in times of natural disasters.

SLAF Spokesman Group Captain Nalin Wewakumbura said the Air Force is scheduled to undertake major upgrades and overhauls of its fleet during 2026.

Accordingly, the United States is set to gift 10 TH-57 Sea Ranger (Bell 206) helicopters to Sri Lanka in 2026. In addition, the United States and Australia will provide two C-130 transport aircraft to the SLAF in 2026 and 2027, respectively.

The spokesman said the acquisition process has been expedited, with the first batch of TH-57 helicopters expected to be delivered to the SLAF by mid-February 2026.

Meanwhile, the SLAF is also proceeding with the overhaul of several Mi-17 helicopters. These aircraft are scheduled to be sent for overhaul by the end of January 2026.

Earlier, the Cabinet approved a multi-million-dollar contract for the urgent overhaul of four Mi-17 helicopters at an estimated cost of approximately US$4.5 million per aircraft. According to reports, the total cost of the overhaul and service life extension programme is estimated at US$18 million, inclusive of round-trip transportation and insurance.

The tender has been awarded to M/s Winsley Defence Group d.o.o. of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with its local agent M/s Securatec Lanka (Pvt) Limited, after being identified as the lowest evaluated substantially responsive bidder. The SLAF initiated the bidding process in 2023, though progress was delayed due to bureaucratic hurdles before the final selection was made.

Group Captain Wewakumbura said that once the overhauls are completed, one of the Mi-17 helicopters will be deployed for United Nations missions involving SLAF personnel.

The SLAF initially had only four helicopters available for emergency operations—two Bell 212s and two Mi-17s—at the height of the disaster. Due to this limited capacity, VIP helicopters were temporarily repurposed to carry out urgent evacuations as the military struggled to reach millions of people affected by flooding and infrastructure damage.

As operations intensified, additional assets were deployed, including a Bell 412 helicopter, a Jet Ranger (Bell 206), and a KA-360ER reconnaissance aircraft for aerial surveillance. However, the rescue mission suffered a tragic setback when a Bell 212 helicopter delivering humanitarian aid made an emergency landing near the Lunuwila Bridge in Wennappuwa. The pilot, Wing Commander Nirmal Siyambalapitiya, later succumbed to his injuries.

In response to the operational shortfall exposed by the disaster, the government sought international assistance and accelerated plans to strengthen the SLAF fleet.