US donates Beechcraft aircraft to SLAF

The United States donated a Beechcraft King Air 360ER aircraft to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) to enhance Sri Lanka’s sovereign maritime surveillance and disaster response, yesterday.

The Beechcraft aircraft, which was donated by the US Department of Defence’s Building Partner Capacity programme, which originated in 2019, is part of a long-term collaboration with the Sri Lanka Air Force.

US Pacific Fleet Commander US Navy Admiral Steve Koehler officially handed over the aircraft to Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha and Sri Lanka Air Force Commander Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa at the SLAF Base in Katunayake yesterday. This advanced aircraft is designed to enhance Sri Lanka’s capabilities in search and rescue operations, drug interdiction and combating trafficking and smuggling. It will also significantly improve the country’s maritime surveillance operations while reinforcing US–Si Lanka defence cooperation.

This $19 million US Government grant includes the aircraft and support services, all provided at no cost to the Sri Lanka Air Force. The Beechcraft King Air 360ER is equipped with cutting-edge technology to boost Sri Lanka’s ability to patrol its waters and address maritime threats.

Following the handover of the aircraft as part of the collaboration, the US government personnel will conduct a three-month training programme to ensure SLAF personnel are fully equipped to operate and maintain the aircraft.

The aircraft, manufactured by Beechcraft Textron Aviation and completed in late 2022, underwent additional upgrades, including the installation of maritime patrol sensors like radar and cameras, finalised in mid 2024. From June to August 2024, SLAF personnel participated in training in Kansas and Florida to prepare for the aircraft’s arrival. Besides, the aircraft will undergo further training and integration at the Ratmalana Air Force base before joining Maritime Patrol Squadron 3 in China Bay, Trincomalee.

Speaking at the event, US Ambassador Julie Chung emphasised the importance of the Beechcraft aircraft, highlighting it as a testament to the strong US–Sri Lanka partnership and Sri Lanka’s role in ensuring peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

“As partners, the United States shares Sri Lanka’s vision that security is a collective responsibility, as our seas connect us. Maritime domain awareness is crucial to safeguarding Sri Lanka’s maritime trade routes, which are the lifeblood of its economy. While the oceans are rich in economic opportunities, they are also vulnerable to significant threats from illegal fishing to smuggling, human trafficking, and other illegal, coercive, and deceitful activities. It is my hope that this Beechcraft King Air will serve as a constant guardian of your nation’s peace and prosperity, always vigilant in defending what is rightfully yours,” she said.

SLAF Commander Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa said that the induction of the Beechcraft King Air 360ER aircraft is one of the instrumental steps in augmenting the Air Force’s airpower for maritime domain awareness.

“This substantiates our enhanced focus on ensuring maritime security and broadening HADR capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region as a responsible and key stakeholder nation. Further, this advanced ISR platform will be the latest addition to the ongoing efforts of fostering collective security and interoperability to face the threats in the air and maritime domains and curb transnational crime in our region. We look forward to playing a greater role in regional maritime domain awareness, particularly in maritime surveillance, monitoring and patrolling whilst fulfilling our obligations to regional peace and security,” he noted.

Admiral Steve Koehler reaffirmed the US’s commitment to regional security and partnership with Sri Lanka.

“Today’s ceremony is about much more than one aircraft. It’s about our two nations’ commitment to protecting sovereignty and addressing complex maritime challenges together in the Indian Ocean. I look forward to strengthening our partnership and advancing a shared vision for peace and stability by upholding a rules-based international order,” he said.