Sri Lankan reinforcements

It is reported that the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) is expected to receive two Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport aircraft from the United States and Australia as part of planned fleet modernisation in 2026 and 2027.

One of the aircraft is a former USAF C-130H. The second aircraft is most likely also a C-130H; however, Australia has no C-130Hs in its inventory available for transfer to Sri Lanka. Scramble Magazine assesses that the 'Australian' aircraft is also a former USAF C-130H, but will be paid for by Australia.

The only former Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-130H still complete and located in Australia is A97-011, which is preserved at the RAAF Museum at RAAF Base Point Cook (VIC). All twelve Australian C-130Hs were withdrawn from active duty by 30 November 2012. Nine were sold to the Indonesian Air Force.

Also still in the pipeline are ten Bell TH-57 Sea Ranger training helicopters surplus to the US Navy, which were donated a year ago. The first aircraft were originally scheduled to arrive in 2025, but this has now slipped to 2026.

The Sri Lanka Air Force fleet of transport aircraft is operated by 2 Heavy Transport Squadron at Katunayake air base, part of Colombo/Bandaranaike International Airport. This unit operates An-32 and former Royal Air Force (RAF) C-130K Hercules aircraft.

Credit photo: Ian French