US to supply maritime patrol aircraft to Sri Lanka
The Sri Lanka Air Force is receiving at least one King Air 350ER aircraft for maritime patrol from the US. (Beechcraft)
Sri Lanka is improving its aerial maritime patrol capability, with a little help from the US.
The Pentagon has awarded Textron Aviation an $11.4 million contract for new Beechcraft King Air 360ER aircraft as part of a Foreign Military Sale to Sri Lanka, the DoD announced on 13 February.
The twin-turboprop aircraft – whose number was unspecified in the announcement – will be operated by the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) as a maritime patrol platform. The type will perform surveillance, patrol, maritime domain awareness, monitoring of illegal fishing, anti-drug and human trafficking, and SAR missions.
Under the auspices of the US Army Contracting Command, work is to be completed by 26 September 2025.
From sources in Sri
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