India officially Hands over Dornier 228 maritime patrol aircraft to SL
India officially handed over a substitute Donier-228 maritime surveillance aircraft to Sri Lanka to be used by the Sri Lanka Air Force, at a ceremony held in Katunayake today.
It was officially received by Sagala Ratnayaka, President’s Senior Advisor on National Security.
The Donier-228 aircraft handed over to Sri Lanka in August 2022 has been sent to India for obligatory yearly maintenance and this one has come as a substitute. This is the second Dornier aircraft to be leased to the SLAF through a grant from the Government of India. It replaces the initial Indian Navy Dornier, which had served for a year and was returned to India for scheduled maintenance after its ceremonial handover to President Ranil Wickremesinghe exactly one year ago, on August 15, 2022.
Handing over of Indian Navy Dornier Aircraft to Sri Lanka Air Force in presence of Indian High Commissioner Baglay, top Sri Lankan Official Ratnayaka.
The Indian Navy Dornier aircraft has now been officially handed over to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) during a ceremony held at SLAF Base Katunayake on Wednesday. The event witnessed the ceremonial transfer of the aircraft by the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Gopal Baglay to Sagala Ratnayaka, the Chief of Staff and Senior Adviser to the President on National Security of Sri Lanka. The Gathering included senior officials from the Sri Lanka Air Force, and the Indian Defense Adviser, highlighting the importance of this occasion.
The leasing of the advanced Indian Navy Dornier Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft represents a considerable augmentation in Sri Lanka’s surveillance capabilities. This addition to the SLAF’s existing fleet is to act as a force multiplier, substantially contributing to the nation’s security efforts. At the ceremony, Indian High Commissioner Baglay emphasized India’s ongoing dedication to enhancing the capabilities of the Sri Lanka Defense forces, in line with New Delhi’s policy of “Security and Growth for All in the Region” (SAGAR) initiative.
The deployment of thecDornier aircraft in the past demonstrated its effectiveness in maritime reconnaissance and search and rescue missions. Moreover, it streamlined the standard operating procedures between the Indian Navy and the Sri Lanka Air Force.
Ratnayaka, in a gesture of gratitude, conveyed his appreciation for India’s steadfast support, particularly during challenging times. He underscored the enduring bond between the two nations, stating, “Our friends, our neighbouring friends, were gracious enough to assist us. It is not only with this aircraft that we have received India’s assistance. It’s been a longstanding relationship, but in more recent times, when we were going through an economic crisis, India stepped up beyond the call of duty to lend us a hand.”
The operational readiness and capabilities of the Dornier aircraft are expected to play a crucial role in tackling shared security challenges within the region. These challenges encompass issues such as drug and human trafficking, smuggling, and search and rescue operations. With its advanced sensor technology, the Dornier equips the Sri Lanka Air Force to effectively protect its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) from maritime threats.
