Sri Lanka prepares to launch combat aircraft procurement programme; Report

The Sri Lankan government is preparing to issue a request for information (RFI) in support of a programme to procure multirole combat aircraft, according to a report by IHS Jane's Defence magazine.

The programme, featuring the acquisition of between 8-12 aircraft, will be pursued through an inter-government agreement after Cabinet approval for the purchase was given on August 11.

An official involved in the Sri Lankan defence procurement system said the government has yet to make any decision on the make of aircraft. IHS Jane's understands that it is likely that the RFI will be followed by a tender to procure the platform from an international supplier, although a timeframe is not confirmed.

State news in Sri Lanka had earlier cited Cabinet spokesman Gayantha Karunathilaka as saying that the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) required new combat aircraft to boost ageing inventories, maintain maritime security, and face any unexpected threat.

He said that at present only one of seven Israel Aircraft Industries Kfir C2/C7 fighter aircraft acquired from the 1990s was operational. He added that none of the SLAF's remaining fighter aircraft fleets, comprised of a few Russian MiG-27 fighter aircraft and around seven Chinese J-7s, were operational. "The government will consider all offers and will select a suitable [aircraft]," he said of the combat aircraft procurement programme.

In January IHS Jane's reported that Sri Lanka had agreed a USD400 million deal with Pakistan to purchase up to 12 JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft, which was developed by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and China's Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC).

However, diplomatic and political pressure by India is believed to have stalled the programme. IHS Jane's reported at the time that India, which considers Sri Lanka a security partner, was anxious to prevent Pakistan and China from jointly expanding defence links with Colombo.