SLAF’s three Antonov-32 aircraft returns to BIA

Three Antonov-32 Heavy Lift Aircraft of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) returned home yesterday to the No 02 Heavy Transport Squadron at Katunayake airbase on completion of their overhaul process, SLAF said.

Defence Secretary Gen. Kamal Gunaratne (Retd) graced the brief ceremony organized to welcome the refurbished Antonov-32 aircraft, as the Chief Guest at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) yesterday.

Addressing media during the occasion, Gen. Gunaratne stated these aircraft would be used for maritime surveillance and reconnaissance duties including operations leading to cripple the seaborne drug smuggling ring, maritime piracy and also to brace disaster management and relief operations in the country/overseas.

Recalling the enormous service rendered by the AN-32 aircraft during the battle, he said “these aircraft were heavily used for troop transportation and have also carried injured personnel and those sacrificed for the motherland”.

Further, he went on saying “AN-32 aircrafts were grounded for seven years and flown to undertake repairs under the aegis of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in a bid to revive the SLAF duties while ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft”.