• Only aircraft required to maintain national security and other essential operations were being maintained to save forex reserves in the country

The Sri Lanka Air Force will not purchase any new aircraft for the SLAF fleet this year due to the current economic and forex crisis in the country.  

Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana said only essential aircraft were being currently maintained.   

Addressing a media briefing on Wednesday, the Commander said that only the aircraft required to maintain national security and other essential operations were being maintained to save forex reserves in the country.  

He said the funds allocated for the Sri Lanka Air Force will be spent sparingly and in an efficient manner.  The Commander said that SLAF has already been able to secure a large amount of foreign revenue by repairing its aircraft in Sri Lanka.  

The Aircraft Overhaul Wing of the SLAF established at Katunayake has been responsible for the overhaul of many aircraft including Y-12, PT-6, K-8, F-7 BS and F-7 GS aircraft over the past five years.   

The Commander said the SLAF expects to further develop its facility to repair any kind of aircraft in their fleet.