SIX PT-6 AIRCRAFT READY TO JOIN SLAF FLEET

Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) is to receive six brand new PT-6 Aircraft from the China National Aero-technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) for primary training of the SLAF.

During the recent visit to China, Commander of the SLAF,AIR Marshal Kapila Jayampathy signed the acceptance of six PT-6 aircraft at AVIC Hongdu in Nanchang on May 15.

SLAF said the Aircraft, painted in the recently introduced colour scheme of the SLAF, were inspected and flight tested by SLAF Engineers and Pilots and were deemed to be in conformance with the specifications and ready to be inducted into the SLAF Fleet.

The Aircraft will be utilized at the No1 Flying Training Wing at the SLAF Academy, China Bay for the ab initio training of newly enlisted pilots.

Vice President of CATIC, Liu Jianhai signed the deal on behalf of M/S CATIC while vice President of AVIC Hongdu, Zheng Tangjie signed as witness.

The Director Civil Engineering of the SLAF,AIR Vice Marshal MRK Samarasinghe who also joined the Commander on the visit, held discussions with CATIC on the progress of the Aircraft Overhaul Wing Project which is being processed in collaboration between SLAF and CATIC.

In 2015, the National Security Council approved the request to purchase the six PT-6 aircraft at a cost of more than USD 5 million.

In 2015, the National Security Council approved the request to purchase the six PT-6 aircraft at a cost of more than USD 5 million.