Sri Lanka To Replace Its Ageing Fighter Jets
Muhammad Rameez Published August 10, 2016 | 04:27 PM
COLOMBO, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Augst,2016) - Sri Lanka Wednesday announced plans to replace its ageing jet fighters to better defend its maritime borders including rich fishing grounds, seven years after the island's separatist war ended. Cabinet approved President Maithripala Sirisena's proposal to call for expressions of interest from global manufacturers to sell Sri Lanka the jets, government spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said. "The idea is to buy eight multi-role fighter aircraft with associated weapons on a government-to-government basis," Senaratne, who is also a cabinet minister, told reporters. Sri Lanka's fleet of Chinese-made F-7, Soviet-era MiG-27 and Israeli Kfir aircraft are about 30 years old and have become obsolete, according to experts.
Sri Lanka used both the MiG-27 and Kfir jets to bomb rebel targets in the north at the height of the Tamil separatist war which ended in May 2009. The country lost large numbers of aircraft during the decades-long fighting. The main role of the new fleet would be to defend the island's exclusive economic zone which stretches some 200 nautical miles (370 kilometres) offshore, senior sources in the government said. Both neighbouring India and its rival Pakistan are keen to sell combat aircraft to the island, they said.
Recent Stories
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil ..
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
IBCC to promote educational excellence, expand regional presence
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leav ..
Putin says plans to visit China in May
More Stories From World
-
Slot 'confident' of Liverpool job as 'negotiations' take place
1 hour ago -
Google parent Alphabet's Q1 profits beat estimates: company
2 hours ago -
WADA asks 'independent prosecutor' to examine Chinese swimmers case
2 hours ago -
New York court overturns Harvey Weinstein sex crime conviction
2 hours ago -
Bagnaia and Spanish rivals chase victory at Jerez
3 hours ago -
Russian, Ukrainian strikes kill at least 10 in frontline regions
4 hours ago
-
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
4 hours ago -
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
4 hours ago -
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leave after 20 years of ..
4 hours ago -
Putin says plans to visit China in May
4 hours ago -
US reinstates open internet rules rescinded under Trump
4 hours ago -
Honda announces US$11 bn EV battery and vehicle plant in Canada
5 hours ago