The Australian government has officially handed over a Beechcraft King Air 350 type aircraft to the Sri Lanka Air Force today, marking an exceptional strength for the air operations of the Sri Lanka Air Force.
The addition of modern twin-engined turboprop aircraft to the Sri Lanka Air Force will play a critical role in strengthening Sri Lanka’s efforts to combat maritime threats including drug trafficking and human trafficking, while supporting disaster relief and surveillance operations in the country.
Sri Lanka Air Force Commander Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa has said that this grant by the Royal Australian Air Force will improve Sri Lanka’s maritime surveillance, disaster relief and air navigation capabilities.
It is reported that the strategic importance of Indian Ocean security for Sri Lanka’s sovereignty was emphasized, and that this aircraft makes a significant contribution to awareness of the maritime domain in the region.
Rear Admiral Brett Sonter praised the collaborative effort, saying, “This capability improvement goes beyond just hardware. It is said to contribute to the training and development of the next generation of Air Force personnel by equipping them with new skills through this vital asset.
