Sri Lanka to call for international bids to purchase four used helicopters for SLAF
The government of Sri Lanka last week said it will call for international bids to buy four used helicopters for the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) for its programme on training pilots for peacekeeping missions.
Co-Cabinet Spokesperson, Minister Ramesh Pathirana has told the media that Sri Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on behalf of the Ministry of Defence had sought approval of the Cabinet of Ministers to make the purchase.
Pathirana has said the SLAF currently uses two 1981 helicopters to train pilot officers.
“Sri Lankan Air Force units are currently on peacekeeping missions in Sudan and Central Africa. It has been identified as a prime need to train new pilots and assign them to those units,” Pathirana has told the media.
OSL take:
The decision by the government of Sri Lanka to purchase used helicopters for the SLAF has opened up a business opportunity for manufacturers of airborne crafts. Given Sri Lanka’s interest in keeping its military forces up to date, foreign businesses engaged in the field could explore new business opportunities in Sri Lanka.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/21072020/Z_1 |