Zarvan
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Acquiring the JF 17 from Pakistan is, however, likely to raise concerns with India which post civil war is hoping that the government in Colombo accept Indian sensitivities on acquiring arms and weapon systems from rivals in the region including China and Pakistan.
Visit of Pak Air Chief
The visit of Chief of Air Staff of Pakistan Air Force Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman to Sri Lanka coincided with the approval by the Sri Lankan Cabinet to purchase new fighter jets for the Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) on a government to government basis. This has given rise to speculation that the Sri Lanka may be going in for purchasing the China developed, and Pakistan manufactured JF 17 light combat fighter. Pakistan has been attempting to export the fighter aircraft in the neighborliness, with Sri Lanka and Myanmar being the primary customers targeted.
Sri Lanka Pakistan Air Force Relations
Chinese CAC FC-1 Xiaolong Fighter
Sri Lanka Air Force had relied on extensive support from the Pakistan Air Force during the long period of civil war against the Liberation of Tamil Tigers Eelam (LTTE). As India was constrained by the reactions in Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka obtained extensive military assistance from some countries during this period including China, Pakistan, Russia, Ukraine and Israel.
Carrying forward this relationship Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman received an audience at the highest level with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and meet the top military leadership of the country including Secretary Defense and the Services Chiefs. The Pakistan Air Chief is reported to have offered extensive training and professional support to the Sri Lankan Air Force during his interaction with these dignitaries.
Sri Lanka Cabinet Approval
Almost concomitantly Sri Lanka made the announcement of approval of the cabinet to acquire new fighters. Sri Lanka Cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said the government is considering buying eight multi-role fighter aircraft with associated weapons on a government-to-government basis. President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Minister of Defense, has proposed to obtain expressions of interest from interested aircraft manufacturers, assistant producers, and authorized government agents for purchasing of the fighters. Sri Lanka Air Force is expected to purchase 8-12 multi role fighter aircraft.
Rajitha Senaratne was reported by Sri Lankan media to state, “”The fighter aircraft of the Sri Lanka Air Force have been ageing. It is necessary to replace them because the Air Force needs a functioning fleet to maintain oceanic security and to face any unexpected threat. That is why President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Minister of Defense, proposed that expressions of interest be obtained from interested aircraft manufacturers, assistant manufacturers, and authorized government agents, to purchase aircraft on a government-to-government basis,” he said.
As of now it is not clear which governments are being made the offer and what the response has been. India has put the proposal of exporting the Tejas LCA in the Bahrain Air Show held in January this year and may also put in a bid.
Debating Acquisition of Combat Fighters by SLAF
While the decision to equip the air force is within the sovereign domain of the Sri Lankan government, a number of questions are likely to be raised given that the LTTE threat has been effectively neutralized now and is unlikely to come up again shortly. Given the progressive process of reconciliation by the Sirisena government on the Island, there are hopes of satisfying Tamil aspirations thus there is unlikely to be any traction for separatists in the country for times to come.
The small fleet of fighter aircraft may, therefore, be used primarily to keep alive the training and expertise acquired by the Sri Lankan Air Force for any future contingencies.
Acquiring the JF 17 from Pakistan is, however, likely to raise concerns with India which post civil war is hoping that the government in Colombo accept Indian sensitivities on acquiring arms and weapon systems from rivals in the region including China and Pakistan.
India has made the offer of the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) the first squadron of which was raised recently, but will have to provide an assurance of timely supplies for the Sri Lankan government to take up the offer seriously and dissuade it from acquisitions of rivals in the neighborhood.
In ordinary course Sri Lankan Air Force may be able to wait for the LCAs with no immediate threat on the horizon, this will also ensure that a degree of stability will be maintained in relations with India.
And for that reason Air Chief Marshal Sohail may have tried to persuade the Sri Lankan leadership to go in for the JF 17, or his visit was only for rejuvenation of partnership with the Air Force we will soon come to know.
Given the course of matured discourse between India and Sri Lanka under the Sirisena government which is likely to see even the vexatious issue of fishermen being resolved in the days to come, New Delhi and Colombo are expected to address this issue as well through dialogue.
http://www.slguardian.org/2016/08/sri-lankan-air-force-acquiring-pak-made-jf-17-an-indian-viewpoint/
