Sri Lanka to procure New Aircraft

[HeinzG]

August 16, 2016 12:45 pm


The Sri Lankan government is preparing to issue a request for information (RFI) in support of a programme to procure multirole combat aircraft, IHS Jane’s news agency reported.


The programme, featuring the acquisition of between 8-12 aircraft, will be pursued through an inter-government agreement after Cabinet approval for the purchase was given on 11 August.


An official involved in the Sri Lankan defence procurement system said the government has yet to make any decision on the make of aircraft. IHS Jane’sunderstands that it is likely that the RFI will be followed by a tender to procure the platform from an international supplier, although a timeframe is not confirmed.


State news in Sri Lanka had earlier cited Cabinet spokesman Gayantha Karunathilaka as saying that the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) required new combat aircraft to boost ageing inventories, maintain maritime security, and face any unexpected threat.


- IHS Jane’s news agency
-Agencies

OP's Note

It's obvious that Sri Lanka would most probably procure the JF-17 unless of course Indian pressure would force Sri Lanka to purchase the Tejas Jet.

http://www.adaderana.lk/news/36526/...-launch-combat-aircraft-procurement-programme

 

[cloud4000]

I know Sri Lanka is in talks with Pakistan about acquiring JF-17s Block 2s, but wouldn't the Block 3 be a better seller?

 

[Gregor Clegane]

Sri Lanka will buy Mig-29M.They were on the verge of buying them in 2008, but got cancelled due to Eelam War-IV.

 

[HeinzG]

Sri Lanka will buy Mig-29M.They were on the verge of buying them in 2008, but got cancelled due to Eelam War-IV.

Migs are old story now. My biggest bet is for the JF-17. Sri Lanka almost bought them last year.

I know Sri Lanka is in talks with Pakistan about acquiring JF-17s Block 2s, but wouldn't the Block 3 be a better seller?

What are the difference between Block 2 and Block 3

 

[Gregor Clegane]

Migs are old story now. My biggest bet is for the JF-17. Sri Lanka almost bought them last year.



What are the difference between Block 2 and Block 3

Sri Lanka never went close to buying JFTs.
All such stories were based on false rumours by Pak media.

In fact your own media stated that SLAF was in Russia for fighter jets.

According to the sources , the present Air Force Commander , the Army Commander , the Sri Lanka Navy Chief of Staff, and a representative from Sri Lanka Logistics are currently in Russia to discuss whether Sri Lanka can purchase the necessary aircraft for the SLAF from them.
“If we can come to an agreement with Russia, neither India nor Pakistan will get angry with us . The Russian jet fighters are cheaper than the Pakistani aircraft and since they are reputable manufacturers , there is no need of looking for any other place for overhauling the aircraft, ” the sources added .

http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2016/05/01/fierce-dragon-wheeler-dealers-pounding-sri-lanka-air-force/

 

[muhammadali233]

Migs are old story now. My biggest bet is for the JF-17. Sri Lanka almost bought them last year.



What are the difference between Block 2 and Block 3

Blk-2 doesn't have aesa radar,helmet mounted display,extra hardpoints,less composites.Blk 3 will incorporate everything listed and etc,blk 3 will be equal in specs with F-16 Block 52s or even better.But blk 3 will be expensive.

 

[hussain0216]

Blk-2 doesn't have aesa radar,helmet mounted display,extra hardpoints,less composites.Blk 3 will incorporate everything listed and etc,blk 3 will be equal in specs with F-16 Block 52s or even better.But blk 3 will be expensive.

Im not sure sri lanka even require most of those things.

 

[HeinzG]

Im not sure sri lanka even require most of those things.

Yeah I agree. Blk 2 will be a better bet

Sri Lanka never went close to buying JFTs.
All such stories were based on false rumours by Pak media.

In fact your own media stated that SLAF was in Russia for fighter jets.


http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2016/05/01/fierce-dragon-wheeler-dealers-pounding-sri-lanka-air-force/

The case of Sri Lanka is the latest curious case of a prospective JF-17 buyer backing down. As Franz-Stefan Gady reported recently, Colombo was expected to sign a multi-million dollar deal to purchas 8 to 12 units of the JF-17 during Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s state visit there last week. Despite a range of announced deals, a JF-17 purchase was not announced during Sharif’s time in Colombo.

However, mere days after the deal was reported, sources claimed that the deal had been cancelled. The reason for the cancellation of the deal is revealing of current diplomatic dynamics in South Asia. According to TheIndian Express, the Sri Lankan government, led by President Maithripala Sirisena, canceled its plans to purchase the JF-17s after a “diplomatic missive” from New Delhi suggesting that Colombo should refrain from adding these aircraft to its fleet.

http://thediplomat.com/2016/01/revealed-why-sri-lanka-backed-off-the-sino-pakistani-jf-17-thunder/

 

[Gregor Clegane]

Yeah I agree. Blk 2 will be a better bet





http://thediplomat.com/2016/01/revealed-why-sri-lanka-backed-off-the-sino-pakistani-jf-17-thunder/

As I said the diplomat article was based on an economic times article which itself was based on a GEO TV report.
All roads on this lead towards Pakistani media.

 

[Blue Marlin]

As I said the diplomat article was based on an economic times article which itself was based on a GEO TV report.
All roads on this lead towards Pakistani media.

so if an indian said sri lanka was buying jf-17's would that make it more credible?

 

[Gregor Clegane]

so if an indian said sri lanka was buying jf-17's would that make it more credible?

No it wouldn't.

 

[Blue Marlin]

No it wouldn't.

so then why would you say a pakistani source is not credible? heck its a product from that country and if india did not go all out on sri lanka they would have gone for them.
personally i think they may go for th mig 29's instead and stay neutral for another day

 

[Abba_Dabba_Jabba]

so then why would you say a pakistani source is not credible? heck its a product from that country and if india did not go all out on sri lanka they would have gone for them.
personally i think they may go for th mig 29's instead and stay neutral for another day

There was an official statement from Sri lankan side after the Nawaz's visit regarding the jets, the SL side denied any discussion on JF-17. The news regarding the fighter was only circulating in Pakistan by their media.

 

[Blue Marlin]

There was an official statement from Sri lankan side after the Nawaz's visit regarding the jets, the SL side denied any discussion on JF-17. The news regarding the fighter was only circulating in Pakistan by their media.

after india realised there was a possibility of them getting the bird they went on over drive to prevent them from getting the bird. so much to the extent they refused to even say it was gonna happen. sri lanka needs to balance it relations

 

[Abba_Dabba_Jabba]

after india realised there was a possibility of them getting the bird they went on over drive to prevent them from getting the bird. so much to the extent they refused to even say it was gonna happen. sri lanka needs to balance it relations

Ok, so when Indians got there, did you heard them pressuring Lankans ? There isn't any official statement about the pressure thing from SL side, it is just coined by Pakistani media, stating it as obvious.

Sri Lanka's best choice is either LCA or Migs. Both the jets brings lots of maintenance cost with them. JFs are never built for functioning in sea.