Defence Asia

  The "Zulu's", No.08 light transport squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force celebrates its 25th anniversary last week. Pictures by SLAF. By Asiri Fernando The No.08 light transport squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force, known by their call sign 'Zulu' celebrates 25 years of service last week.  The squadron was established on 2 April 1996 with Y-12 transport and Beechcraft B200 surveillance aircraft. However, the origins of the squadron lay in No. 201 Squadron, an offspring of the No.02 Squadron and actively engaged in a range of combat support operations since 1987.  The squadron played a crucial role during the 30 year-long internal conflict. The 08's Y-12 aircraft were workhorses delivering supplies, transporting troops and evacuating casualties to medical facilities.  SLAF Y-12 aircraft "The 15-seater Y-12 aircraft was utilized for many multitudes of air operations during the local theatre of war with a small crew working relentlessly during day and night....

  Defence Advisors of the Maldivian and Indian High Commissions, meet with Secretary of Defence, General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne, Foreign Secretary Admiral (Retd) Jayanath Colombage, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne and Senior Navy officers at the launch of the new secretariat. (Pic - SLN) Trilateral Secretariat on Maritime Security Cooperation established at Sri Lanka Navy HQ  By Asiri Fernando  A secretariat for trilateral national security advisors (NSA) was launched at the Navy Headquarters yesterday (01 March) to act as a platform to improve Maritime Security Cooperation between the Maldives, India and Sri Lanka.  The need to establish a secretariat for the task was agreed upon during the fourth NSA level meeting between the three countries, hosted by Sri Lanka in November last year. According to the Navy, Director Naval Operations Rear Admiral Prasanna Mahawithana has been appointed as the coordinating officer of the new secretariat....

                               An SLAF Bell-206 Jet Ranger in service with No.7 Squadron. Credit www.airforce.lk By Asiri Fernando The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) will call for international bids to buy four used helicopters to replenish its aging training fleet in  the near future.  The acquisition is to be made via competitive international bidding following government approval earlier this month.  Speaking to the press earlier this month (8 July), Co-Cabinet spokesman Romesh Pathirana said that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on behalf of the Ministry of Defense had sought Cabinet approval to make the purchase. Pathirana pointed out that the SLAF needed to train pilots for UN peacekeeping missions. According to Pathirana, the SLAF currently uses two helicopters manufactured in 1981 to train Pilots. The Jet Rangers first entered service in 1969, the Air Force website said. Several un-serviceable...