The U.S. will transfer another Coast Guard cutter to the Sri Lanka Navy in early 2026, according to a statement from its embassy on Saturday.
Currently, the Sri Lanka Navy operates three former U.S. Coast Guard cutters, including Vijayabahu, to combat transnational crime, support humanitarian and disaster response efforts, and protect the country’s sovereignty in the Indo-Pacific.
The addition of a fourth cutter in 2026 is expected to further strengthen these capabilities.
In October 2024, the U.S. also provided a Beechcraft King Air maritime patrol aircraft to Sri Lanka.
This aircraft enhances the Sri Lanka Air Force and Navy’s ability to patrol territorial waters, counter maritime threats, and secure vital trade routes in the Indian Ocean.
