Markus
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Sri Lanka Air force New Acquisitions: An Update
- Thread starter Lankan Ranger
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Lankan Ranger
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I earlier mentioned, This Modernization & upgrade is planned to begin by the start of the next year.
You can find various source beginning of next year.
It’s an Update look at the headline.
Anyway Welcome to PDF, Are you from Colombo?
Last edited:
fatman17
PDF THINK TANK: CONSULTANT
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World air forces, Sri Lanka
Date Posted: 13-Apr-2010
Jane's World Air Forces
Sri Lanka - Air Force
Summary
STRENGTH
30,000 (including 12,000 with SLAF Regiment)
COMBAT AIRCRAFT
CAC F-7, Kfir, MiG-27M 'Flogger-J2'
COMBAT HELICOPTER
Mi-24/35 'Hind', Mi-17 'Hip-H'
TRANSPORT
C-130K Hercules, HAI Y-12 (II), An-32 'Cline'
Assessment
From its origin as an essentially transport / communications support organisation, the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has now developed effective fixed-wing and helicopter attack capabilities. The SLAF is a competent, if relatively unsophisticated, air arm with good quality aircrew and well-trained engineering and other ground staff. It has had to adapt to the requirements of counter-revolutionary air warfare and has done so adequately, although some training has been restricted by financial limitations. Its command and control at higher levels suffers from lack of experience on the part of operations officers, but in general the SLAF has been able to respond adequately to operational requirements.
The problem of securing airfields had been highlighted by Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) attacks on the main civil airport in Colombo and its contiguous SLAF base. As a consequence, increased emphasis was placed on securing perimeters and patrolling, while the number of forward operating bases was reduced. Concurrently, the role of the SLAF Regiment (SLAFR) in undertaking internal security tasks was extended to include infantry roles, with elements taking part in large-scale attacks on rebel forces prior to the end of the fighting in 2009.
Despite efforts to enhance airfield security, the LTTE continued to pose a considerable threat, exemplified by a pre-dawn raid on the base at Anuradhapura on 22 October 2007. At least eight aircraft and helicopters are known to have been damaged beyond repair, including three PT-6 piston-engined trainers, one K-8 Karakorum jet trainer, a SIGINT-configured King Air 200, one Mi-24 'Hind' attack helicopter and two Mi-17 'Hip' assault helicopters. A Bell 212 was also destroyed when it crashed nearby during the course of the raid, with some reports attributing this to mechanical failure while others claimed it was hit by ground fire (possibly friendly fire). Most of the damage was accomplished by 21 members of the 'Black Tiger' suicide squad (all of whom were killed), but two LTTE Zlin Z 143 light aircraft are known to have dropped two bombs during the prolonged attack. Three Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) were also destroyed (including two Blue Horizon 2 UAVs owned by an Israeli supplier that were being readied for demonstration flights) and several other aircraft are known to have been damaged, including at least three PT-6s and four SF.260TPs that were in storage following retirement. Some reports allude to six Cessna 150s also having been destroyed, but these were also retired aircraft in storage. Two Zlins of the LTTE carried out bombing raids on Mannar and Colombo in October 2008, avoiding surveillance radar. While the attacks were inconsequential and caused little damage, the propaganda effect was considerable.
With the LTTE Air Force destroyed and the conflict against the LTTE now at end after more than 25 years, the SLAF has begun to re-assess its capabilities, organisation and operational art, which was previously geared almost entirely toward internal security. Early evidence of these changes were evidenced by the May 2009 purchase of Russian-made military transport helicopters, which Jayantha Wickramasinghe, chief executive officer of Lanka Logistics and Technologies Limited - the company created by the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence in 2007 to procure equipment for the armed forces - said would "assist stages of development in our country without terrorism".
Deployments, tasks and operations
Role and Deployment
The official functions of the SLAF are to:
Provide tactical air support and air transport for land and naval forces;
Provide rescue facilities and transport as directed by the government;
Provide engineering and logistic support services to maintain aircraft, road transport, electronic equipment and other plant and machinery;
Provide troops for internal security operations; and
Undertake non-military air operations and carry out research projects connected with national development.
In addition, the SLAF is tasked to provide manned and UAV reconnaissance. It has an air force regiment (SLAFR), primarily concerned with airfield defence but also capable of assisting the army in other ground combat tasks. The regiment has a special forces element of about company strength (that is intended to be increased) responsible for unconventional operations, including rescue of downed aircrew and close protection.
Recent and Current Operations
In addition to operations in Sri Lanka, some 48 SLAF personnel serve with the UN peacekeeping mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).
Command and control
Commander, Air Force: Air Marshal Roshan Goonatilake
Chief of Staff, Air Force: Air Vice Marshal PB Premachandra
Deputy Chief of Staff, Air Force: Air Vice Marshal HD Abeywickrama
The SLAF is headed by a three-star Air Marshal, Roshan Goonatilake, who was appointed in 2006. He has a Chief of Staff (Air Vice Marshal) and 11 directors, all of two-star rank with the exception of the Welfare Director, who is an Air Commodore. Bases and instructional establishments are commanded by group captains and wing commanders.
Organisation
The air force HQ is in Colombo. Fixed-wing and helicopter squadrons are concentrated at five main bases and can operate from forward airfields, deploying to these and as required. The level of the insurgency since 2001 made it necessary for the SLAF to reduce the number of bases in order to maximise physical security, and deployment has been tailored to meet this requirement.
Order of Battle
Unit Base Type Role
2 Squadron Ratmalana An-32 Transport
2 Squadron Ratmalana C-130K Hercules Transport
2 Squadron Ratmalana Cessna 421 Communications
4 Squadron Katunayake Bell 206 VIP / Transport
4 Squadron Katunayake Bell 412 VIP / Transport
4 Squadron Katunayake Mi-17 VIP / Transport
5 Squadron Katunayake F-7 Attack
5 Squadron Katunayake FT-7 Operational Training
6 Squadron Anuradhapura Mi-17 Assault Transport
7 Squadron Hingarukgoda Bell 206 Utility
7 Squadron Hingarukgoda Bell 212 Utility
7 Squadron Hingarukgoda Bell 412 Utility
8 Squadron Ratmalana Y-12 (II) Utility
8 Squadron Ratmalana King Air Surveillance
9 Squadron Hingarukgoda Mi-24 Attack
9 Squadron Hingarukgoda Mi-35 Attack
10 Squadron Katunayake Kfir C2/C7 Air Defence / Attack
10 Squadron Katunayake Kfir TC2 Operational Training
12 Squadron Katunayake MiG-27M Attack
12 Squadron Katunayake MiG-23UB Operational Training
14 Squadron China Bay K-8 Karakorum Advanced Training
111 Air Surveillance Squadron Anuradhapura Searcher UAV Reconnaissance
112 Air Surveillance Squadron Anuradhapura Blue Horizon 2 Reconnaissance
1 Flying Training Wing China Bay PT-6 Training
Aircraft Preservation & Storage Unit Ratmalana Various Overhaul and Museum
Operational Art and Tactical Doctrine
The SLAF is geared mainly to support ground and naval forces in counter-insurgency and interdiction operations.
Bases
Anuradhapura (08° 18' 04" N; 80° 25' 41" E)
China Bay (08° 32' 30" N; 81° 11' 08" E)
Hingarukgoda (08° 03' 06" N; 80° 58' 49" E)
Katunayake - Colombo International Airport (07° 10' 52" N; 79° 53' 01" E)
Ratmalana (06° 49' 19" N; 79° 53' 10" E)
Vavuniya (08° 44' 27" N; 80° 29' 52" E)
Other airfields that can be and are used as forward operating locations include Ampara, Batticaloa, Katukurunda, Koggala, Palaly, Palavi, Sigiriya and Wirawila.
Training
The Directorate of Training formulates instructional policy and is responsible for initial, basic and advanced technical training, as well as specialised tuition and instructor training. Initial pilot training is conducted by No.1 Flying Training Wing, with advanced pilot training the responsibility of No.14 Squadron at Katunayake (K-8). Engineering and technical instruction takes place at the Basic Trade Training School, Katunayake, followed by further tuition at the Advanced & Specialised Trade Training School, Ekala. Some training is undertaken overseas, notably in the US and India.
Training Areas
The SLAF conducts aerial training in civilian-free airspace throughout the country.
Air Force procurement
Combat
The SLAF is adequately equipped with reasonably modern combat aircraft, but is anxious to obtain additional fighters, with a priority 'shopping list' revealed in early 2007 indicating the intent to purchase four F-7s from China, as well as a small number of MiG-29s. Negotiations for the purchase of a handful of MiG-29SMs (including one MiG-29UB two-seater) were reported to have been concluded in March 2008, although it emerged in July 2009 that plans to acquire this type had been abandoned following victory over Tamil Tigers. In consequence, the only recent procurement of combat aircraft has involved four examples of the F-7GS, which were apparently provided as a gift by China in January 2008 and which are now operational with No.5 Squadron.
Further purchases of Mi-24/35 'Hind' combat helicopters are anticipated, with at least three examples needed in the short term. In view of the avowed intent to replace aircraft and helicopters destroyed and damaged by the LTTE raid of October 2007, that number may well have increased.
Previously, in December 2006, the SLAF received four overhauled MiG-27 ground-attack aircraft from Ukraine's state-owned defence organisation, Ukrinmash. The four MiG-27s were purchased at a cost of about USD10 million in a government-to-government deal financed by Bellimissa Holdings. More than 20 years old, according to Sri Lankan government officials, they should nevertheless remain in service until about 2013-14. As part of this procurement arrangement, the surviving three MiG-27s (of six delivered) and a MiG-23UB trainer aircraft already in service with the SLAF were overhauled in Ukraine.
Transport
In addition to the more urgent planned acquisitions alluded to above, Sri Lanka had a lower priority requirement for additional transport aircraft and helicopters and expressed a desire to purchase at least two Antonov An-32s and four Mil Mi-17s to augment existing fleets of these types. To this end, Sri Lanka's government ordered several military transport helicopters from Russia in May 2009 "to help the country develop" as the long-running conflict with the LTTE drew to a close. No details about the procurement were revealed, but the acquisition will improve SLAF aerial resupply capability in support of major operations. Two Y-12 (IV) light transports have also been taken on strength; both were observed test flying at Kunming, China in early December 2009, with delivery scheduled to take place in 2010.
C4ISR
The wish to acquire additional airborne surveillance and intelligence-gathering capability in the form of two more King Air 200s was made known early in 2007. At that time, these were considered to be a lower-priority item, but the two additional aircraft gained greater importance following destruction of the SIGINT-configured King Air 200 in the Anuradhapura attack of October 2007.
UAV
The SLAF has specialised reconnaissance units operating Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), one of which crashed in October 2005. Indian Navy Heron UAVs are used to conduct surveillance in India-Sri Lanka waters and it is presumed that at least some of the information gathered is passed on to Sri Lanka. At least one SLAF UAV was destroyed in the attack on Anuradhapura and this has probably been replaced, with additional examples almost certainly purchased to provide enhanced surveillance capability. With regard to the latter, an unspecified number of EMIT Blue Horizon 2 UAVs have been obtained and introduced to service.
Air Defence
Following the launch of air strikes by the LTTE, Sri Lanka moved to upgrade its air defence and airspace surveillance capabilities. A JY-11 3-D radar valued at USD5 million was ordered from China National Electronics Import Export Corporat ion in October 2005, but the deal was postponed following Indian protests that this system would "over-arch" into Indian air space. To offset this, New Delhi provided two Indra II-PC 2-D radars free of charge and, in April 2007, agreed to deliver a third. Subsequently, with LTTE aircraft posing a modest physical but significant propaganda threat, an unconfirmed report stated that the Chinese radar was acquired and is now in position in Mirigama.
Modernisation
In mid-2006, with the prospect of a sustained civil war looming, Sri Lanka approached Pakistan for assistance for all branches of the armed forces. Sri Lanka is also seeking to enhance reconnaissance capability and indicated a need for a day/night camera pod for use by either the Kfir or F-7, as well as gyro-stabilised, day/night-capable, electro-optical sensors for installation on the King Air 200. Other items on the list of desired equipment include AIM-9P Sidewinder and/or R550 Magic heat-seeking air-to-air missiles, guided missiles for the 'Hind' combat helicopters as well as other munitions, including general purpose, cluster and fragmentation bombs, unguided rockets, 7.62 mm ammunition and rocket-propelled grenades.
Equipment in service
Fixed Wing
Type Manufacturer Role Original Total In Service First Delivery
F-7BS CAC Fighter - Ground Attack / Strike 4 3 1991
F-7GS CAC Fighter - Ground Attack / Strike 4 4 2008
Kfir C2 IAI Fighter - Ground Attack / Strike 9 6 1996
Kfir C7 IAI Fighter - Ground Attack / Strike 4 2 2001
MiG-27M 'Flogger-J2' MiG Fighter - Ground Attack / Strike 10 7 2000
King Air 200 HISAR Beech Reconnaissance / Surveillance 1 1 2002
C-130K Hercules C. Mk 1 Lockheed Martin Transport 2 2 2000
An-32 'Cline' Antonov Transport 10 7 1995
Y-12 (II) HAI Transport 9 7 1987
Y-12 (IV) HAI Transport 2 2 2010
421 Golden Eagle Cessna Transport 1 11 1981
FT-7 GAIC Trainer 1 1 1992
Kfir TC2 IAI Trainer 2 1 1996
MiG-23UB 'Flogger-C' MiG Trainer 1 1 2000
PT-6 HAIC Trainer 10 6 2001
K-8 Karakorum HAIC Trainer 9 5 2001
Note:
Operated by Sri Lanka Survey Department.
Rotary Wing
Type Manufacturer Role Original Total In Service First Delivery
Mi-24V 'Hind-E' Mil Attack 14 3 1998
Mi-24P 'Hind-F' Mil Attack 4 2 n/a
Mi-35P 'Hind-F' Mil Attack 7 4 1998
Mi-17 'Hip-H' Mil Assault 161 8 1993
206A JetRanger Bell Utility 7 2 1969
206B JetRanger III Bell Utility 2 2 1981
212 Bell Utility 18 5 1981
412 Bell Utility 8 8 1985
Note:
At least four additional examples reported to be on order.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Type Manufacturer Role Original Total In Service First Delivery
Searcher IAI Multirole n/a n/a n/a
Blue Horizon 2 EMIT Surveillance n/a n/a n/a
Missiles
Type Manufacturer Role
PL-2 'Atoll' CATIC Air-to-Air
PL-3 CATIC Air-to-Air
PL-5 CATIC Air-to-Air
UPDATED
April-2010
Date Posted: 13-Apr-2010
Jane's World Air Forces
Sri Lanka - Air Force
Summary
STRENGTH
30,000 (including 12,000 with SLAF Regiment)
COMBAT AIRCRAFT
CAC F-7, Kfir, MiG-27M 'Flogger-J2'
COMBAT HELICOPTER
Mi-24/35 'Hind', Mi-17 'Hip-H'
TRANSPORT
C-130K Hercules, HAI Y-12 (II), An-32 'Cline'
Assessment
From its origin as an essentially transport / communications support organisation, the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has now developed effective fixed-wing and helicopter attack capabilities. The SLAF is a competent, if relatively unsophisticated, air arm with good quality aircrew and well-trained engineering and other ground staff. It has had to adapt to the requirements of counter-revolutionary air warfare and has done so adequately, although some training has been restricted by financial limitations. Its command and control at higher levels suffers from lack of experience on the part of operations officers, but in general the SLAF has been able to respond adequately to operational requirements.
The problem of securing airfields had been highlighted by Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) attacks on the main civil airport in Colombo and its contiguous SLAF base. As a consequence, increased emphasis was placed on securing perimeters and patrolling, while the number of forward operating bases was reduced. Concurrently, the role of the SLAF Regiment (SLAFR) in undertaking internal security tasks was extended to include infantry roles, with elements taking part in large-scale attacks on rebel forces prior to the end of the fighting in 2009.
Despite efforts to enhance airfield security, the LTTE continued to pose a considerable threat, exemplified by a pre-dawn raid on the base at Anuradhapura on 22 October 2007. At least eight aircraft and helicopters are known to have been damaged beyond repair, including three PT-6 piston-engined trainers, one K-8 Karakorum jet trainer, a SIGINT-configured King Air 200, one Mi-24 'Hind' attack helicopter and two Mi-17 'Hip' assault helicopters. A Bell 212 was also destroyed when it crashed nearby during the course of the raid, with some reports attributing this to mechanical failure while others claimed it was hit by ground fire (possibly friendly fire). Most of the damage was accomplished by 21 members of the 'Black Tiger' suicide squad (all of whom were killed), but two LTTE Zlin Z 143 light aircraft are known to have dropped two bombs during the prolonged attack. Three Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) were also destroyed (including two Blue Horizon 2 UAVs owned by an Israeli supplier that were being readied for demonstration flights) and several other aircraft are known to have been damaged, including at least three PT-6s and four SF.260TPs that were in storage following retirement. Some reports allude to six Cessna 150s also having been destroyed, but these were also retired aircraft in storage. Two Zlins of the LTTE carried out bombing raids on Mannar and Colombo in October 2008, avoiding surveillance radar. While the attacks were inconsequential and caused little damage, the propaganda effect was considerable.
With the LTTE Air Force destroyed and the conflict against the LTTE now at end after more than 25 years, the SLAF has begun to re-assess its capabilities, organisation and operational art, which was previously geared almost entirely toward internal security. Early evidence of these changes were evidenced by the May 2009 purchase of Russian-made military transport helicopters, which Jayantha Wickramasinghe, chief executive officer of Lanka Logistics and Technologies Limited - the company created by the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence in 2007 to procure equipment for the armed forces - said would "assist stages of development in our country without terrorism".
Deployments, tasks and operations
Role and Deployment
The official functions of the SLAF are to:
Provide tactical air support and air transport for land and naval forces;
Provide rescue facilities and transport as directed by the government;
Provide engineering and logistic support services to maintain aircraft, road transport, electronic equipment and other plant and machinery;
Provide troops for internal security operations; and
Undertake non-military air operations and carry out research projects connected with national development.
In addition, the SLAF is tasked to provide manned and UAV reconnaissance. It has an air force regiment (SLAFR), primarily concerned with airfield defence but also capable of assisting the army in other ground combat tasks. The regiment has a special forces element of about company strength (that is intended to be increased) responsible for unconventional operations, including rescue of downed aircrew and close protection.
Recent and Current Operations
In addition to operations in Sri Lanka, some 48 SLAF personnel serve with the UN peacekeeping mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).
Command and control
Commander, Air Force: Air Marshal Roshan Goonatilake
Chief of Staff, Air Force: Air Vice Marshal PB Premachandra
Deputy Chief of Staff, Air Force: Air Vice Marshal HD Abeywickrama
The SLAF is headed by a three-star Air Marshal, Roshan Goonatilake, who was appointed in 2006. He has a Chief of Staff (Air Vice Marshal) and 11 directors, all of two-star rank with the exception of the Welfare Director, who is an Air Commodore. Bases and instructional establishments are commanded by group captains and wing commanders.
Organisation
The air force HQ is in Colombo. Fixed-wing and helicopter squadrons are concentrated at five main bases and can operate from forward airfields, deploying to these and as required. The level of the insurgency since 2001 made it necessary for the SLAF to reduce the number of bases in order to maximise physical security, and deployment has been tailored to meet this requirement.
Order of Battle
Unit Base Type Role
2 Squadron Ratmalana An-32 Transport
2 Squadron Ratmalana C-130K Hercules Transport
2 Squadron Ratmalana Cessna 421 Communications
4 Squadron Katunayake Bell 206 VIP / Transport
4 Squadron Katunayake Bell 412 VIP / Transport
4 Squadron Katunayake Mi-17 VIP / Transport
5 Squadron Katunayake F-7 Attack
5 Squadron Katunayake FT-7 Operational Training
6 Squadron Anuradhapura Mi-17 Assault Transport
7 Squadron Hingarukgoda Bell 206 Utility
7 Squadron Hingarukgoda Bell 212 Utility
7 Squadron Hingarukgoda Bell 412 Utility
8 Squadron Ratmalana Y-12 (II) Utility
8 Squadron Ratmalana King Air Surveillance
9 Squadron Hingarukgoda Mi-24 Attack
9 Squadron Hingarukgoda Mi-35 Attack
10 Squadron Katunayake Kfir C2/C7 Air Defence / Attack
10 Squadron Katunayake Kfir TC2 Operational Training
12 Squadron Katunayake MiG-27M Attack
12 Squadron Katunayake MiG-23UB Operational Training
14 Squadron China Bay K-8 Karakorum Advanced Training
111 Air Surveillance Squadron Anuradhapura Searcher UAV Reconnaissance
112 Air Surveillance Squadron Anuradhapura Blue Horizon 2 Reconnaissance
1 Flying Training Wing China Bay PT-6 Training
Aircraft Preservation & Storage Unit Ratmalana Various Overhaul and Museum
Operational Art and Tactical Doctrine
The SLAF is geared mainly to support ground and naval forces in counter-insurgency and interdiction operations.
Bases
Anuradhapura (08° 18' 04" N; 80° 25' 41" E)
China Bay (08° 32' 30" N; 81° 11' 08" E)
Hingarukgoda (08° 03' 06" N; 80° 58' 49" E)
Katunayake - Colombo International Airport (07° 10' 52" N; 79° 53' 01" E)
Ratmalana (06° 49' 19" N; 79° 53' 10" E)
Vavuniya (08° 44' 27" N; 80° 29' 52" E)
Other airfields that can be and are used as forward operating locations include Ampara, Batticaloa, Katukurunda, Koggala, Palaly, Palavi, Sigiriya and Wirawila.
Training
The Directorate of Training formulates instructional policy and is responsible for initial, basic and advanced technical training, as well as specialised tuition and instructor training. Initial pilot training is conducted by No.1 Flying Training Wing, with advanced pilot training the responsibility of No.14 Squadron at Katunayake (K-8). Engineering and technical instruction takes place at the Basic Trade Training School, Katunayake, followed by further tuition at the Advanced & Specialised Trade Training School, Ekala. Some training is undertaken overseas, notably in the US and India.
Training Areas
The SLAF conducts aerial training in civilian-free airspace throughout the country.
Air Force procurement
Combat
The SLAF is adequately equipped with reasonably modern combat aircraft, but is anxious to obtain additional fighters, with a priority 'shopping list' revealed in early 2007 indicating the intent to purchase four F-7s from China, as well as a small number of MiG-29s. Negotiations for the purchase of a handful of MiG-29SMs (including one MiG-29UB two-seater) were reported to have been concluded in March 2008, although it emerged in July 2009 that plans to acquire this type had been abandoned following victory over Tamil Tigers. In consequence, the only recent procurement of combat aircraft has involved four examples of the F-7GS, which were apparently provided as a gift by China in January 2008 and which are now operational with No.5 Squadron.
Further purchases of Mi-24/35 'Hind' combat helicopters are anticipated, with at least three examples needed in the short term. In view of the avowed intent to replace aircraft and helicopters destroyed and damaged by the LTTE raid of October 2007, that number may well have increased.
Previously, in December 2006, the SLAF received four overhauled MiG-27 ground-attack aircraft from Ukraine's state-owned defence organisation, Ukrinmash. The four MiG-27s were purchased at a cost of about USD10 million in a government-to-government deal financed by Bellimissa Holdings. More than 20 years old, according to Sri Lankan government officials, they should nevertheless remain in service until about 2013-14. As part of this procurement arrangement, the surviving three MiG-27s (of six delivered) and a MiG-23UB trainer aircraft already in service with the SLAF were overhauled in Ukraine.
Transport
In addition to the more urgent planned acquisitions alluded to above, Sri Lanka had a lower priority requirement for additional transport aircraft and helicopters and expressed a desire to purchase at least two Antonov An-32s and four Mil Mi-17s to augment existing fleets of these types. To this end, Sri Lanka's government ordered several military transport helicopters from Russia in May 2009 "to help the country develop" as the long-running conflict with the LTTE drew to a close. No details about the procurement were revealed, but the acquisition will improve SLAF aerial resupply capability in support of major operations. Two Y-12 (IV) light transports have also been taken on strength; both were observed test flying at Kunming, China in early December 2009, with delivery scheduled to take place in 2010.
C4ISR
The wish to acquire additional airborne surveillance and intelligence-gathering capability in the form of two more King Air 200s was made known early in 2007. At that time, these were considered to be a lower-priority item, but the two additional aircraft gained greater importance following destruction of the SIGINT-configured King Air 200 in the Anuradhapura attack of October 2007.
UAV
The SLAF has specialised reconnaissance units operating Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), one of which crashed in October 2005. Indian Navy Heron UAVs are used to conduct surveillance in India-Sri Lanka waters and it is presumed that at least some of the information gathered is passed on to Sri Lanka. At least one SLAF UAV was destroyed in the attack on Anuradhapura and this has probably been replaced, with additional examples almost certainly purchased to provide enhanced surveillance capability. With regard to the latter, an unspecified number of EMIT Blue Horizon 2 UAVs have been obtained and introduced to service.
Air Defence
Following the launch of air strikes by the LTTE, Sri Lanka moved to upgrade its air defence and airspace surveillance capabilities. A JY-11 3-D radar valued at USD5 million was ordered from China National Electronics Import Export Corporat ion in October 2005, but the deal was postponed following Indian protests that this system would "over-arch" into Indian air space. To offset this, New Delhi provided two Indra II-PC 2-D radars free of charge and, in April 2007, agreed to deliver a third. Subsequently, with LTTE aircraft posing a modest physical but significant propaganda threat, an unconfirmed report stated that the Chinese radar was acquired and is now in position in Mirigama.
Modernisation
In mid-2006, with the prospect of a sustained civil war looming, Sri Lanka approached Pakistan for assistance for all branches of the armed forces. Sri Lanka is also seeking to enhance reconnaissance capability and indicated a need for a day/night camera pod for use by either the Kfir or F-7, as well as gyro-stabilised, day/night-capable, electro-optical sensors for installation on the King Air 200. Other items on the list of desired equipment include AIM-9P Sidewinder and/or R550 Magic heat-seeking air-to-air missiles, guided missiles for the 'Hind' combat helicopters as well as other munitions, including general purpose, cluster and fragmentation bombs, unguided rockets, 7.62 mm ammunition and rocket-propelled grenades.
Equipment in service
Fixed Wing
Type Manufacturer Role Original Total In Service First Delivery
F-7BS CAC Fighter - Ground Attack / Strike 4 3 1991
F-7GS CAC Fighter - Ground Attack / Strike 4 4 2008
Kfir C2 IAI Fighter - Ground Attack / Strike 9 6 1996
Kfir C7 IAI Fighter - Ground Attack / Strike 4 2 2001
MiG-27M 'Flogger-J2' MiG Fighter - Ground Attack / Strike 10 7 2000
King Air 200 HISAR Beech Reconnaissance / Surveillance 1 1 2002
C-130K Hercules C. Mk 1 Lockheed Martin Transport 2 2 2000
An-32 'Cline' Antonov Transport 10 7 1995
Y-12 (II) HAI Transport 9 7 1987
Y-12 (IV) HAI Transport 2 2 2010
421 Golden Eagle Cessna Transport 1 11 1981
FT-7 GAIC Trainer 1 1 1992
Kfir TC2 IAI Trainer 2 1 1996
MiG-23UB 'Flogger-C' MiG Trainer 1 1 2000
PT-6 HAIC Trainer 10 6 2001
K-8 Karakorum HAIC Trainer 9 5 2001
Note:
Operated by Sri Lanka Survey Department.
Rotary Wing
Type Manufacturer Role Original Total In Service First Delivery
Mi-24V 'Hind-E' Mil Attack 14 3 1998
Mi-24P 'Hind-F' Mil Attack 4 2 n/a
Mi-35P 'Hind-F' Mil Attack 7 4 1998
Mi-17 'Hip-H' Mil Assault 161 8 1993
206A JetRanger Bell Utility 7 2 1969
206B JetRanger III Bell Utility 2 2 1981
212 Bell Utility 18 5 1981
412 Bell Utility 8 8 1985
Note:
At least four additional examples reported to be on order.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Type Manufacturer Role Original Total In Service First Delivery
Searcher IAI Multirole n/a n/a n/a
Blue Horizon 2 EMIT Surveillance n/a n/a n/a
Missiles
Type Manufacturer Role
PL-2 'Atoll' CATIC Air-to-Air
PL-3 CATIC Air-to-Air
PL-5 CATIC Air-to-Air
UPDATED
April-2010
Lankan Ranger
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Su-35BM always the long-term interest of SLAF
Friend Economic Rise will lead to the Strategic Rise, that’s why I mentioned 2015 – 2020, Sri Lankan Economy will become strongest by that time.
We can get a clear idea from India, India’s Economic Rise leads to the Strategic Rise.
Markus
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Well, nothing wrong in it. Obviously, you can buy whatever you want with your money.
But I dont think Sri Lanka faces any threat (as of now) that requires a machine of the caliber of a Su-35, anyways 2020 is 10 years away, who knows what may happen by then !
jha
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Finally a refreshing topic by SRILANKAN.after a long time ...( He used to open such informative threads some time back )..
Coming back to topic..Pretty good modernization going on in SLAF..One thing i could not understand is that why Sri_Lanka did not go for Mig-35..?
Since SLAF is not operating any Mig-29 prior to this purchase they could have gone for Mig-35 directly ( Even though the difference is very less between the two..)..
I didnot know SLAF operated KFIR ..I thought only Israel was using these ..
Coming back to topic..Pretty good modernization going on in SLAF..One thing i could not understand is that why Sri_Lanka did not go for Mig-35..?
Since SLAF is not operating any Mig-29 prior to this purchase they could have gone for Mig-35 directly ( Even though the difference is very less between the two..)..
I didnot know SLAF operated KFIR ..I thought only Israel was using these ..
Sri Lankan, thank you.
Seen your previous posts here, with all due respect theres lot of speculation.
I hate to say this but Im afraid we are not heading in the direction you have mentioned.
The next step is very clear, actually its right in front of your eyes, thats all I can say at this point of time.
Thank you.
AVIAN
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It seems to me that, Sri Lankan Airforce must be looking towards involving in major portion of its opeational doctrine towards Maritime domain and Mig-29SMT that it is looking to procure must be a good choice for it since it has largest user of Mig-29K in its neigbourhood.
Sri Lanka will do a world of good if conduct daily exercise and maintain interoperability with both IN and IAF to word off any unwanted crisis created in Indian Ocean.
Sri Lanka will do a world of good if conduct daily exercise and maintain interoperability with both IN and IAF to word off any unwanted crisis created in Indian Ocean.
Luftwaffe
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There is always a High-Low combination. you cannot replace everything F-7/kfir/mig-27-23 with su-35. If suppose SLAF wants to persue SU-35 they'll have to drop mig-29, I believe its a long shot anyways till 2015. With upgrades to Kfir and F-7s airframes still new I guess SLAF is waiting on 2015 for slow replacement program perhaps we might not see mig-29 at all and instead see SU-35 or we might see migs instead of su-35 or maybe instead of both we might see su-30 as a widely inducted platform. indian factor cannot be ruled out, india has the tendency to ruin many deals. You never know SLAF may end up getting standard su-30s.
Water Car Engineer
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Why would Sri want that anyway? Who is Sri Lanka's threat? Not India. Sri Lanka should just chill and promote its nation as a tourist hub of S. Asia and Asia in general. Create good infrastructure it will be a great place for a vacation!
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Lankan Ranger
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Sri Lanka Navy Aviation Command
Sri Lanka's new navy commander said he wants to expand the fleet and increase troop strength to better protect the island from maritime threats.
"The navy needs to remain strong, expand and modernise to prevent future terrorist threats and protect our maritime resources," he told a news conference, a day after assuming command.
"We need to buy more ships. Although there is no immediate requirement, in the long term we need to build our fleet to improve our surveillance capabilities," he said.
"Just because the war is over, it does not mean we have to reduce our strength."
He said his future plans include setting up a naval air wing in collaboration with the air force and also having missile boats, as a missile-armed navy would make a potential enemy think twice.
"An air wing is critically important, would help improve our surveillance capabilities in the long term."
But the navy's role would grow in future especially in protecting the island's maritime resources.
http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/fullstory.php?nid=1777536972
MIG-29SMT jets may shifted to Sri Lanka Navy Aviation Command
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Lankan Ranger
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In the future Indian Ocean will witness too much Aircraft Carriers.
Su-35BM will keep Sri Lanka Safe.
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