Lankan Ranger
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Sri Lanka Air force Retires Kfir jets
The No 10 Fighter Squadron, consisting of Israeli-built Kfirs jets, considered the vanguard of the SLAF operations against the LTTE since 1996, is unlikely to fly again.
The SLAF grounded Kfirs on March 1, 2011 after a mid-air collision during a rehearsal destroyed two aircraft killing one pilot, while the other ejected.
SLAF Commander Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrema ordered a high level inquiry into the accident. The SLAF headquarters is in the process of finalizing the report before it being handed over to Air Marshal Abeywickrema.
SLAF spokesman Wing Commander Andrew Wijesuriya said since the conclusion of the war in May 2009, the role of the service had changed.
Responding to a query by The Island, Wijesuriya asserted that the task of the Kfirs jets had diminished and the service would have to gradually phase out aircraft and equipment, which werent required in the post-war era.
Wing Commander Wijesuriya emphasized that the SLAF would maintain assets needed to meet todays requirements, including maritime patrolling, surveillance and internal & external transport. According to him, there would be a full review of the service as part of the overall strategy.
The Kfir jets carried out thousands of raids targeting the LTTE since 1996, and it achieved tremendous success during the August 2006-May 2009 campaign, which brought the LTTE to its knees.
By year 2000, the SLAF acquired eight more Kfirs and one two-seater trainer, thereby increasing the aircraft inventory to 15 Kfirs, including two twin-seater trainers.
The No 10 Squadron had been tasked with providing close air support, air interdiction, battlefield air interdiction, maritime air operations and air interception.
The Island
The No 10 Fighter Squadron, consisting of Israeli-built Kfirs jets, considered the vanguard of the SLAF operations against the LTTE since 1996, is unlikely to fly again.
The SLAF grounded Kfirs on March 1, 2011 after a mid-air collision during a rehearsal destroyed two aircraft killing one pilot, while the other ejected.
SLAF Commander Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrema ordered a high level inquiry into the accident. The SLAF headquarters is in the process of finalizing the report before it being handed over to Air Marshal Abeywickrema.
SLAF spokesman Wing Commander Andrew Wijesuriya said since the conclusion of the war in May 2009, the role of the service had changed.
Responding to a query by The Island, Wijesuriya asserted that the task of the Kfirs jets had diminished and the service would have to gradually phase out aircraft and equipment, which werent required in the post-war era.
Wing Commander Wijesuriya emphasized that the SLAF would maintain assets needed to meet todays requirements, including maritime patrolling, surveillance and internal & external transport. According to him, there would be a full review of the service as part of the overall strategy.
The Kfir jets carried out thousands of raids targeting the LTTE since 1996, and it achieved tremendous success during the August 2006-May 2009 campaign, which brought the LTTE to its knees.
By year 2000, the SLAF acquired eight more Kfirs and one two-seater trainer, thereby increasing the aircraft inventory to 15 Kfirs, including two twin-seater trainers.
The No 10 Squadron had been tasked with providing close air support, air interdiction, battlefield air interdiction, maritime air operations and air interception.
The Island
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