• 120 foreign personnel to join Lankan counterparts for ‘Pacific Angel 2025’
• Aims to improve coordination, understanding, and preparedness for HADR

Sri Lanka will this week host the multilateral exercise ‘Pacific Angel 2025,’ aimed at improving regional defence cooperation.

The exercise, which will commence on Monday (8), will bring together the United States Air Force (USAF), Royal Australian Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Indian Air Force, Maldivian National Defence Force, and Bangladesh Air Force as key participants. 

The three branches of the Sri Lankan armed forces will also take part during this iteration of the exercise.

According to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), in total, 300 personnel are scheduled to participate, of which 123 will represent foreign contingents.

“The scale and diversity of the participating forces reflect the growing importance of collaborative training in addressing Search and Rescue (SAR) and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR),” the SLAF said.

The exercise highlights the enduring US-Sri Lanka partnership while underlining the broader strategic value of multinational military cooperation. By engaging in joint training, participating forces enhance mutual understanding, operational coherence, and shared preparedness – key factors in ensuring regional collective readiness. 

“A significant feature of the exercise will be its eight Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs), which cover critical operational domains. These include Aircraft Maintenance and Aircrew Operations, SAR Open-Water and Helicopter Hoist Operations, Jungle Survival and Tracking, Aeromedical Patient Movement, Mass Casualty Medical Response (MASCAL), a Military Band Resilience Programme, and Airlift Cargo Handling. 

“The SMEEs will primarily take place at the SLAF Base, Katunayake, while the SLAF Academy, China Bay and the SLAF Regimental Training Centre, Ampara will serve as specialist facilitators. Through these activities, participants will not only refine tactical skills but also foster professional bonds that strengthen interoperability across forces,” the SLAF added.

It is learnt that exercise will be supported by a wide array of air and naval platforms. The USAF is expected to deploy two C-130J aircraft, while the SLAF will contribute a Bell 412, a B-212 helicopter, and a King Air 350. Complementing the air assets, the Sri Lanka Navy will field selected naval platforms to support the maritime dimension of the training.