SLAF To Purchase More Choppers
By Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema
The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) is currently conducting a feasibility study to purchase Mi-17 helicopters as part of a US$ 300 million Russian credit line.
Cabinet Spokesperson Keheliya Rambukwella said the SLAF following the feasibility study would decide on the number of helicopters to be initially procured. He explained that the country has provision to procure up to 14 helicopters under the Russian credit line that was initiated during the latter part of the war.
“Since the war was coming to an end, we decided there was no immediate requirement to purchase 14 helicopters,” he said.
However, following the end of the war, SLAF ventured into domestic passenger transport as a commercial venture through Helitours.
Rambukwella said the SLAF was looking at purchasing helicopters to be used to expand its existing commercial air transport work.
He added that the SLAF would pay back the loan through its profits from the commercial venture once the helicopters are purchased.
“I do not know when the study would be completed, but I don’t think the SLAF would utilize the entire facility and purchase 14 helicopters,” Rambukwella observed.
Meanwhile, SLAF Spokesperson Group Captain Andrew Wijesuriya neither denied nor confirmed the procurement of Mi-17 helicopters.
He said he was unable comment about purchases until it is in the Air Force inventory.
Speaking of Helitours, Wijesuriya said it is a commercial venture aimed at making profits and to improve domestic aviation until the private sector starts to invest in the field.
Reports of SLAF signing and agreement with a Russian company to purchase 14 Mi-171 helicopters first came out in August 2011.
Sri Lanka has reportedly signed a contract to purchase 14 Mi-171 helicopters from Rosoboronexport State Corporation, a state-owned arms enterprise under a Russian credit deal.
Russia’s ITAR-TASS had stated that Rosoboronexport will supply 14 Mi-171 helicopters of different modifications to Sri Lanka, two years after it ended a three-decades long terrorist war.
“A corresponding contract for supplying the helicopters will be carried out on account of the Russian state credit given to Sri Lanka by Russia in 2010 for purchasing Russian armaments,” the news agency has stated without giving any details on the deal.
Nevertheless, Rambukwella denied having signed any agreement yet saying a study was still being carried out into the matter.
KEHELIYA NEEDS A HELICOPTER TO MOVE FROM ONE ROOM TO ANOTHER WITHOUT CLIMBING OUT OF WINDOWS AS HE DID IN AUSTRALIA AND FELL THREE STORIES DOWN INJURING HIMSELF.
Dear Grp Capt Wijesuriya,
How can the private sector invest in Aviation when the Air Force undercuts pricing and subsidises operations with Public Money?
Please level the playing field if this country’s aviation sector it to improve.
BTW, where do all the Air Force retirees go once they leave the AF? All of them cannot be the Commander! Isn’t it the Private sector (except for those who made money in the AF and don’t have to work).
smell like some thing coming.. 14 MI-171 Helicopters for the helitours.. what happen to the sea plane project by Sri Lankan Airllines. Heard it is going on loss.. so why we are trying go for 14 in one time.. better to buy at leaset one or two and see how it works..with out wasting public money…
“ONE AT A TIME”!!? What for ney…MR and his band of crooks want their 10% now rather than later! Inflation ney>>>>>what a bunch of jokers. And you idiot citizens of the contry put up with this.
Why I thought Goti did his job of GENOCIDE of Tamil!; are they now planning to airlift their bounty to Timbattu?
Time is ripe for Apphuhamy with the aid of Ralahamy to something before it’s TOO late.
these purchase will cost a lot to the public, and it is the public who will pay the interest as well.
by the way how much is going to California where the MR thugs holds accounts under ficticious names.
Who thinks that 14 MI choppers are for tourism? Very soon more MIG’s too will come for tourism!! These birds will be very handy to do a quick coup de – grace, when the LTTE diaspora & the LTTE supporters in Nadu & the north ignite the second round of terrorism in the country, in the coming years. TNA wants it quick!
Suren Soysa have you gone beyond Grade 5?
I am completely OK with SLAF buying even a 100 choppers, as long as their chopper bikes. :-D
Who needs a helicopter when the country is suffering economically. People will have to pay for this. These ministers are using it as fun transport. While we have to suffer with large taxes.
Profits to settle loan for an amount of this large? Are you PUKFYING everyone Ran-PUK-wella?
I totally disagree any defense force entering into private businesses. Sri lanka is a democratic state and should stay that way, and jobs should be created for unemployed youths. A lot of corruption, undercutting, political interference and many other ills occur due to forces entering into private business. Reduce the forces during peace time and focus more on youth unemployment.
Lovely…….more money for the thugs in power.