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US to give two aircraft to Sri Lanka free of charge
The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) today said the United States government will grant two maritime surveillance aircraft (Beechcraft 360ER) to the Sri Lanka government, free of charge, through the Foreign Military Sales Contract to be operated by SLAF.
Responding to the Daily Mirror story titled “U.S Company to deliver Beechcraft King Air 360ER aircraft to Sri Lanka”, Air Force Spokesman Dushan Wijesinghe said the first aircraft will be delivered in late 2022 or early 2023 to SLAF.
He said the United States government has agreed to provide two maritime surveillance aircraft to the SLAF under Foreign Military Sales Contract in strengthening the maritime surveillance capability in Sri Lankan Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to ensure the maritime security in the region following a request made by present Commander of Air Force, Air Marshal Sudharshana Pathirana.
SLAF requested Beechcraft 360ER twin-turboprop aircraft produced by Textron Aviation which is a light transport aircraft certified by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in United States and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the Spokesman said.
SLAF has been operating Beechcraft B-200 aircraft over period of decades which is earlier versions of Beechcraft family, has accumulated ample experiences on operational and maintenance aspects. The established operational and maintenance capabilities are one of main advantage that SLAF possesses in future operation of new B-360ER aircraft, Group Captain Wijesinghe said.
These aircraft will be deployed for the maritime surveillance operations which is a demanding requirement in present day context that was heavily urged for respond maritime disasters such as fire onboard MT New Diamond and X Press Pearl, assisting deep sea rescue missions, monitor illegal fishing activities and to assist Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in combating transnational crimes including human smuggling as well as drug trafficking in EEZ.
This aircraft will be incorporated next generation technologies that enhance the operational capabilities and state-of art surveillance equipment worth of millions will be provided along with aircraft FOC basis which is an invaluable contribution in terms of funds as a result of long term discussions between the Commander of Air Force and US Embassy in Sri Lanka.
This will enhance the maritime surveillance capability of SLAF in Indian Ocean region, the spokesman further said.
Textron Aviation Inc., Wichita, Kansas was awarded the total contract by US Department of Defence (DOD) and the project will be completed in September 2025 after delivery of second aircraft as confirmed by US DOD, he said.(Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)
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