{"id":26689,"date":"2025-01-08T00:01:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-07T22:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=26689"},"modified":"2025-01-06T22:43:15","modified_gmt":"2025-01-06T20:43:15","slug":"sri-lanka-to-receive-ft-7-trainer-aircraft-from-pakistan-and-th-57-sea-ranger-helicopters-from-us","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/sri-lanka-to-receive-ft-7-trainer-aircraft-from-pakistan-and-th-57-sea-ranger-helicopters-from-us\/","title":{"rendered":"Sri Lanka to receive FT-7 trainer aircraft from Pakistan and TH-57 Sea Ranger helicopters from US"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

4 minute read<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) is set to strengthen its aerial capabilities in 2025 with the arrival of advanced aircraft from the United States and Pakistan. These new additions, alongside ongoing upgrades, aim to enhance the SLAF\u2019s operational readiness and contribute to national security.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Air Vice Marshal Sampath Wickremaratne, the SLAF will receive eight TH-57 Sea Ranger helicopters from the U.S. and an FT-7 fighter aircraft from Pakistan. \u201cThis is a major step forward for us, allowing the SLAF to meet modern challenges in air defense and operational efficiency,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upcoming deliveries are part of a broader effort by Sri Lanka to modernize its air force. In 2023, the SLAF acquired two Beechcraft aircraft, a King Air 360ER from the United States in September and a King Air 350 from Australia in December. These planes were brought in to improve the SLAF\u2019s ability to perform search and rescue missions, interdict drug trafficking, and combat smuggling operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese aircraft have already proven invaluable in maritime surveillance. We\u2019ve begun operations to address maritime threats, including drug trafficking, human smuggling, and illegal fishing,\u201d said Air Marshal Rajapaksa. He emphasized that the planes have also been instrumental in protecting local fishermen and naval personnel from piracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


TH-57 Sea Ranger helicopters<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commander of the SLAF, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, recently announced that the United States would deliver eight TH-57 helicopters during the first quarter of 2025. These helicopters, a military adaptation of the Bell 206, are widely recognized for their reliability in training and operational missions. The TH-57 is currently utilized by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, making it a proven asset in military aviation.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"U.S.<\/a>
U.S. Navy TH-57C Sea Ranger and a TH-73A Thrasher, assigned to Training Air Wing Five (TAW-5), fly over Pensacola, Florida, on September 12, 2023. (Image Credit: U.S. Navy\/Ensign Antonio More)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

These helicopters are expected to play a critical role in training new pilots and supporting other operational missions. The SLAF sees this as a key step in building a more versatile and capable air force. \u201cThis acquisition is the result of extensive discussions between Sri Lanka and the U.S. to enhance our air capabilities,\u201d said Air Marshal Rajapaksa. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Renowned for its reliability, the TH-57 features a lightweight, single-engine design with a maximum speed of approximately 240 km\/h and a range of 693 km. It is equipped with advanced avionics, making it ideal for pilot training and navigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The helicopter has a seating capacity for up to four personnel, including the pilot, and is designed for versatility in diverse missions such as surveillance and transport. Its simplicity and efficiency make it a staple in military aviation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


FT-7 Trainer Aircraft<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alongside the helicopters, the SLAF will also add an FT-7 fighter aircraft to its fleet, courtesy of a grant from Pakistan. This development comes after bilateral discussions between the SLAF and Pakistan\u2019s Air Force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The FT-7 Fighter Aircraft is a supersonic, twin-seat jet trainer derived from China\u2019s Chengdu J-7, itself based on the Soviet MiG-21. Developed by China and produced by Pakistan, the FT-7 combines training functionality with light combat capability. It features a maximum speed of Mach 2.0 and a range of 850 km, powered by a single turbojet engine.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Pakistan<\/a>
Pakistan Air Force FT-7P trainer aircraft. (Image Credit: Rehan Waheed\/Falcons\/via X)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The fighter jet version of the aircraft is equipped with advanced avionics, radar systems, and weaponry, including air-to-air missiles and cannons, making it suitable for pilot training and combat roles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Air Marshal Rajapaksa confirmed that the FT-7, a trainer aircraft, will be delivered soon. \u201cThis addition strengthens our fleet and adds to our ability to train pilots effectively,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Maritime security and beyond<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The SLAF\u2019s enhanced maritime surveillance capabilities align with broader defense collaboration between Sri Lanka and the United States. By closely monitoring Sri Lankan waters, the SLAF is helping to secure the nation\u2019s maritime boundaries while addressing cross-border crimes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis partnership not only strengthens our defense capabilities but also ensures the safety and well-being of our people,\u201d Rajapaksa noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Upgrades to Kfir Fighter Jets<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Modernization efforts extend to the SLAF\u2019s fighter fleet as well. Under a 2021 contract with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), five Kfir fighter jets are being upgraded. These improvements will ensure that the jets remain effective in addressing current and future threats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new aircraft and ongoing upgrades signify a transformative period for the SLAF. With a focus on both air and maritime security, the Sri Lankan Air Force is positioning itself as a more versatile and capable force.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"A<\/a>
A Colombian Air Force IAI Kfir fighter jet. (Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

These developments also highlight the importance of international partnerships in bolstering national defense. By collaborating with countries like the U.S. and Pakistan, Sri Lanka is taking meaningful steps to enhance its defense capabilities and address emerging security challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) is set to strengthen its aerial capabilities in 2025 with the arrival of advanced aircraft from the United States and Pakistan. These new additions, alongside ongoing upgrades, aim to enhance the SLAF\u2019s operational readiness and contribute to national security.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":26703,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[124,1],"tags":[227,256,286,295,184,8,113,277,7],"class_list":["post-26689","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-asia-pacific","category-news","tag-air-force","tag-aircraft","tag-fighter-jet","tag-helicopter","tag-maritime","tag-pakistan","tag-security","tag-sri-lanka","tag-u-s"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Sri-Lanka-Air-Force-FT-7-aircraft.jpg?fit=690%2C370&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7jJWb-6Wt","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26689","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26689"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26689\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27128,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26689\/revisions\/27128"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26703"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26689"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26689"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26689"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}