• To boost training, surveillance & domestic air arm; SLAF has paid 70% of cost

The Number Eight Squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) yesterday (5) took delivery of two brand-new Y-12IV light-transport aircraft.

According to SLAF Commander Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, the aircraft will be used for reconnaissance, maritime surveillance, the transport of goods and personnel, pilot training, and for domestic passenger transport via the State-owned Helitours arm. 

Speaking to the media at the event, Rajapaksa said that the two new aircraft – which sport modern avionics and a digital cockpit – will replenish the dwindling fleet in the SLAF service. He praised the aircraft for its war-time service, where it performed many duties including casualty evacuation from unprepared air strips. The current fleet of Y-12II’s in the SLAF service are to reach the end of their “airframe” life between 2025-27. Responding to a question, Rajapaksa said that the SLAF had made 70% of the payments due for the new aircraft, and that the rest of the payment will be made over a period of two years. 

The Government began negotiations for acquiring the two aircraft in 2017. The order for the aircraft was placed in December 2019, when an agreement was signed between the Sri Lankan Government and the China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation. The acceptance documents for the transfer of the new aircraft were signed in June this year, in Beijing.