Sri Lanka sends aircraft around the world for overhauls
Unable to afford new aircraft, Sri Lanka is overhauling and refurbishing aircraft and helicopters in disparate locations around the world.
Sri Lanka is currently overhauling key platforms in its air force, with more aircraft to be refurbished this coming year, specifically Kfir fighters, Mi-17 helicopters, An-32 transporters and C-130 transport aircraft.
AM Sudarshana Pathirana, the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) commander, announced these programmes on 7 January.
‘We have already initiated discussions with an Israeli aircraft manufacturer to overhaul five Kfir fighter jets of the Sri Lanka Air Force, and within this month all will be finalised on this,' he told the Daily Mirror.
The cabinet had already approved the upgrade of five multirole Kfirs for $49 million. It is
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![Portugal signals interest in establishing A-29N final assembly line]()
Portugal signals interest in establishing A-29N final assembly line
As the launch customer for the NATO-configured variant, Portugal also took delivery of the first five A-29N aircraft from its order for 12, placed in 2024.
-
![Leonardo signs contract on Austria’s M-346 aircraft order]()
Leonardo signs contract on Austria’s M-346 aircraft order
The first of the 12 M-346 aircraft are expected to be delivered to the Austrian Air Force by 2028, according to the company.
-
![2025 UAV market review: $7.8 billion in new contracts signed as US leads spending]()
2025 UAV market review: $7.8 billion in new contracts signed as US leads spending
Qatar and Indonesia followed the US’s high spending on new uncrewed aerial vehicle contracts across 2025, while MALE and micro drones and loitering munitions were particularly popular subcategories this year.
-
![The future is here: Sixth-gen air dominance]()
The future is here: Sixth-gen air dominance
How RTX is equipping the military airspace – for today’s fleet and tomorrow’s fight.
