• Will enable SL to protect its interests and contribute to regional security: Defence Secy.
• US Envoy Chung cites strong US-SL partnership & collective responsibility for maritime security
• Another Beechcraft aircraft to be donated by Australia this year

The Sri Lanka Air Force last afternoon (10) inducted into its fleet the $ 19 million state-of-the-art Maritime Patrol Aircraft, donated to Sri Lanka from the US Government.

The Beechcraft King Air 360ER twin-engine Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) is expected to commence service with the No.3 Maritime Squadron of the SLAF and work with a wide cross-section of State agencies in surveilling Sri Lanka’s vast maritime domain, providing a better maritime domain awareness (MDA) picture for the island nation. 

The Sri Lanka Air Force began the process of acquiring the aircraft based on a US programme to improve maritime domain awareness in 2019. It is reliably learnt that another Beechcraft KingAir 350 aircraft, also equipped for maritime surveillance, is to be donated to Sri Lanka from Australia in the coming months. Sri Lanka Air Force has a long track record of operation Beechcraft aircraft for maritime patrol, surveillance and electronic warfare, reaching back to the 1980’s.  

Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Sampath Thuyacontha on behalf of Sri Lanka, thanked the US Government and her people for the donation of the aircraft. “The aircraft we have received today, represents a leap in our nation’s ability to safeguard our sovereignty and our maritime interest, and also to our ability to contribute to regional security and stability. This versatile platform valued at $ 19 million was provided at no cost to the SLAF, will significantly increase our maritime domain awareness, maritime patrol capabilities, search and rescue, and also improves our ability to respond to maritime crises and enforce law at sea,” Thuyacontha said. The Defence Secretary also said that the donation of the aircraft marks a new chapter in the US-Lanka security corporation which will benefit both nations.

Addressing the gathering, the U.S. Ambassador to Colombo, Julie Chung emphasised the importance of the aircraft, calling it as a testament to the strong US-Sri Lanka partnership and Sri Lanka's role in ensuring peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

 "As partners, the United States shares Sri Lanka’s vision that security is a collective responsibility, as our seas connect us. Maritime domain awareness is crucial to safeguarding Sri Lanka’s maritime trade routes, which are the lifeblood of its economy. While the oceans are rich in economic opportunities, they are also vulnerable to significant threats – from illegal fishing to smuggling, human trafficking, and other illegal, coercive, and deceitful activities. It is my hope that this Beechcraft King Air will serve as a constant guardian of your nation's peace and prosperity, always vigilant in defending what is rightfully yours,” Ambassador Chung said.

Admiral Steve Koehler, a 4-star U.S. Navy Admiral and Commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, the senior most officer to visit the island since 2021, said: “Today’s ceremony is about much more than one aircraft, it’s about our two nation’s commitment to protecting sovereignty and addressing complex maritime challenges together in the Indian Ocean. I look forward to strengthening our partnership and advancing a shared vision for peace and stability by upholding the rules based international order.”

Speaking at the induction ceremony, Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, called the induction of the aircraft a historic milestone for the SLAF. “This marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing efforts to augment the airpower capabilities of the SLAF to enhance national and regional maritime domain awareness and security. This aircraft substantiates our enhanced focus on ensuring maritime security and broadening HADR capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region as a responsible and key stakeholder nation. Further, this advanced ISR platform will be the latest addition to the ongoing efforts of fostering collective security and interoperability to face the threats in the air and maritime domains and curb transnational crime in our region. We look forward to playing a greater role in the regional maritime domain awareness, particularly in maritime surveillance, monitoring and patrolling whilst fulfilling our obligations to regional peace and security” Rajapaksa said.

The new aircraft was funded by the U.S. Department of Defence’s Building Partner Capacity programme, was manufactured by Beechcraft Textron Aviation and completed in 2022, with maritime surveillance upgrades added in 2024. Sri Lanka Air Force personnel received specialised training in Kansas and Florida to operate the aircraft, and further training will be conducted by U.S. Government personnel over the next three months.