US will provide two maritime surveillance aircraft gratis to SLAF

The United States (US) government has agreed to provide two maritime surveillance aircraft to Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), under Foreign Military Sales Contract, to strengthen the maritime surveillance capability in Sri Lankan Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to ensure maritime security in the region.

The surveillance aircraft were sent according to a request made by present Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudharshana Pathirana after assuming duties at office for a dedicated maritime surveillance aircraft on Gratis basis (with relevant surveillance equipment on board).

SLAF requested Beechcraft 360ER is a twin-turboprop aircraft produced by Textron Aviation and is a light transport aircraft certified by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). SLAF has been operating Beechcraft B-200 aircraft, an earlier version of the Beechcraft family, for decades and has ample experience in operating and maintaining these aircraft. The established operational and maintenance capabilities are one of main advantages that SLAF possesses in future operation of new B-360ER aircraft.

These aircraft will be deployed at a time when there is a growing need to respond to maritime disasters such as 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 incorporate next generation technologies that enhance the operational capabilities and state-of-art surveillance equipment worth 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 the Indian Ocean region.

Textron Aviation Inc., Wichita, Kansas was awarded the total contract by US Department of Defence (DOD) and the first aircraft will be delivered in late 2022 or early 2023 to SLAF. The project will be completed in September 2025 after delivery of second aircraft as confirmed by US DOD.