

COLOMBO : In December 2024 ,a milestone in Australia-Sri Lanka relations was witnessed the gifting of a Royal Australian Air Force surveillance aircraft, the Beechcraft King Air 350, to the Sri Lanka Air Force. This aircraft, a modern twin-engine turboprop, will substantially strengthen Sri Lanka’s sovereign capabilities, to better confront transnational challenges such as illegal fishing, people smuggling and other maritime threats.
The King Air 350 was gifted at a ceremony presided over by Australia’s Commander of the Joint Agency Task Force, Rear Admiral Brett Sonter, and Commander of Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, at the Ratmalana Air Force Base.
The gift of this significant asset from Australia to Sri Lanka highlights the strength of mutual commitment to support security and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region. It will enhance Sri Lanka’s aerial maritime surveillance capability and provide valuable training opportunities for Sri Lanka Air Force personnel.