Sri Lankan Air Force | Aviation Press

Author: Ian French
Photography: Ian French/Aviation Press and Patrick Dirksen/Tristar Aviation

The Royal Ceylon Air Force (RCyAF) was established in 1951 while still a British colony. The first base was RAF Negombo which housed two squadrons, one focused on training and the other on transport.

The first aircraft were de Haviland DHC-1 Chipmunks followed by Boulton Paul Balliol T.Mk.2s and Airspeed Oxford Mk.1s for advanced training of pilots and aircrew along with de Havilland Doves and de Havilland Herons for transport use, all provided by the British Government. The first helicopter type to be added to the service was the Westland Dragonfly.

In 1956 the closure of British bases was agreed and RCyAF took over the former RAF stations; Katunayake and China Bay, becoming RCyAF operational stations while ancillary functions were carried out at Diyatalawa and Ekala. In 1959 a Jet Squadron was added with Hunting Jet Provosts. In the 1960s Bell Jet Rangers and HAL-26 Pushpaks were added to the fleet.

Civil war broke out in 1971 which accelerated aircraft acquisition – Bell 47G, Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15UTI & MiG-17F and Kamov Ka-26.

In 1972 Ceylon became an independent republic and was renamed Sri Lanka and the air force the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF). With further civil war in the 1980s the SLAF reactivated airfields at Batticaloa, Anuradhapura, Koggala and Sigiriya that had been disused since World War II, all later becoming SLAF Stations. Over the next decades many new aircraft were acquired and many were lost in combat missions. The civil war finally ended in 2009.

The current order of battle is as follows:

1 Flying Training Wing at China Bay

1FTW is the oldest unit in the SLAF and can trace its origins back to the Air Force’s establishment in 1951 when it was 1 Squadron. It was originally based at RAF Negambo and moved to China Bay in 1963 when it was redesignated 1 Flying Training School. It was awarded wing status after independence. In 1988 it relocated to SLAF Anuradhapura due to the civil war and also engaged in close air support missions. In 2009 the unit returned to SLAF China Bay.

Aircraft operated: DHC-1 1951-1990, Balliol 1954-1959, SF260MB 1991-2001, IA58 1992-1999, CJ-6 from 2001, C150 from 1972 & K-8 from 2010

2 Heavy Transport Squadron at Katunayake

2 Squadron was formed in 1955 at RAF Negombo to provide transport. In the civil war it also undertook close air support operations, utilising the SF260TP. The squadron relocated to SLAF Ratmalana in 1985. During the Vadamarachchi Operation the squadron deployed an HS748, two Y-12s and a Heron as improvised bombers. In 1994 the unit had two subordinate squadrons: 201 Squadron which operated the larger aircraft: HS748 and An32B and 202 Squadron which operated the smaller aircraft. In 1996 201 Squadron became 2 Heavy Transport Squadron and 202 Squadron became 8 Light Transport Squadron.

Aircraft operated: Oxford 1953-1958, Dragonfly 1955-1969, Pioneer 1956-1969, Heron 1959-1976, C-47 1975-1986, SF260TP 1985-c2000s, B200 1985-1996, HS748 1985-2002, Y-12 1986- Y-8 1987-2002, An 32B from 1995 and C-130 from 2000

3 Maritime Squadron at China Bay

3 Maritime Squadron was formed in 1965 at China Bay as 3 Squadron. It was renamed as a Maritime Squadron in 1971. During the civil war the unit relocated to Katunayake in 1978 and later returned to China Bay in 1988. The unit disbanded in 1993 and its aircraft transferred to 8 Squadron. 3 Maritime Squadron was re-established in 2019.

Aircraft operated: Dove 1965-1985, C337 1978-1993, B200 1986-1993 and from 2019, Do228 from 2022, B350 from 2024 and B360 from 2024

4 VIP Helicopter Squadron at Ratmalana

4 Helicopter Flight was established in 1965 with the Dragonfly. The unit achieved squadron status in 1971 and re-equiped with the Bell 206 JetRanger. In 1983 the squadron permanently positioned several Bell 212 and Bell Jet Ranger helicopters at SLAF Palaly, in support of the Army in Jaffna for troop transport and ground attack. The squadron achieved wing status in 1987 and in 1994 was split into two squadrons: 401 Squadron at SLAF Hingurakgoda with Bell 212 and Bell 206 to undertake operational flying requirements and pilot training and 402 Squadron with Bell 206s and Bell 412s primarily for VIP transport. 401 Squadron became 7 Squadron in 1996 while 402 squadron became 4 VIP Helicopter Squadron.

Helicopters operated: Dragonfly 1956-1969, B206 from 1968, Ka-26 1970-1982, SA365 1979-1989, B212 from 1983, B412 from 1985, B412EP from 2000 & Mi-171E from 2015

5 Jet Squadron at Katunayake

The squadron was formed in 1959 to operate the Jet Provost at China Bay to train pilots for jet fighters. In the civil war the squadron moved to Ratmalana and received MiG-15UTIs and MiG-17Fs. These were out of service by 1981 and the squadron disbanded. The squadron was reformed in 1991 with two FT-5 trainers, four F-7BS and one FT-7 followed in 2000 by a MiG-23 and six MiG-27s which provided close air support, although these then formed their own squadron, 12 Squadron, in 2007.

Aircraft operated: Jet Provost 1959-1979, MiG-15UTI 1971-1981, MiG-17F 1971-1981, FT-5 1991-2001, F-7BS & FT-7 from 1991, MiG-23UB 2000-2007, MiG-27 2000-2007 & F-7GBS from 2008

6 Helicopter Squadron at Anuradhapura

The squadron was formed in 1993 at Katunayake to operate the Mil Mi-17. The squadron relocated to Vavuniya the same year and in 1995 to Anuradhapura. It is tasked with the transport of the Air Mobile Brigade of the Sri Lanka Army. The unit has had several flights:

61 Helicopter Flight at Ratmalana

62 Helicopter Flight from 2014 until 2023 under the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad with three Mi-17s.

63 Helicopter Flight from 2015 until 2022 under the United Nations Mission in South Sudan with three Mi-17s

Helicopters operated: Mi-17 from 1993, Mi -171 from 1994, Mi-171C from 2013 & Mi-171E & Sh from 2015

7 Helicopter Squadron at Hingurakgoda

The squadron was formed in 1994 as 401 Squadron when 4 Helicopter Wing split and provides operational flying requirements and pilot training with the Bell 212 and Bell 206 Jet Ranger. In 1995 the Mi-24s were temporarily attached to this unit before 9 Attack Helicopter Squadron was formed the same year. 401 Squadron was renamed 7 Helicopter Squadron in 1996. The acquisition of eight Bell TH-57 from USA is planned for 2025.

Helicopters operated: B212 & B206 from 1994, Mi-24 1995

8 Light Transport Squadron at Ratmalana

The unit was originally formed as 202 Squadron in 1994 before being rebadged as 8 Light Transport Squadron in 1996.

Aircraft operated: Y-12-II from 1985, B200 from 1985, MA60 2011-2019 & Y-12-IV from 2023

9 Attack Helicopter Squadron at Hingurakgoda

The unit was formed in 1995 and is tasked with close air support/battlefield air interdiction, air interdiction, maritime air operations, armed escort missions and air defence operations.

Helicopters operated: Mi-24 from 1995, Mi-35 from 2000 and Mi-171Sh from 2013

10 Fighter Squadron at Katunayake

The squadron was formed in 1996 with the arrival of the Kfir and is tasked with providing offensive support for ground & maritime (anti-shipping) operations, air interdiction and interception. It specialises in high altitude precision ground attack. The Kfir fleet has been out of service for approximately five years whilst major upgrades are undertaken.

Aircraft operated: Kfir C2/TC2 from 1996 and Kfir C7 from 2000

12 Squadron at Katunayake

12 squadron was formed in 2007 to operate the MiG-23UB and MiG-27s in the ground attack and close air support roles. The squadron disbanded in 2019 but the aircraft were withdrawn from service by 2017.

14 Advanced Flying Training Squadron at China Bay

The squadron was formed in 2001 to undertake advanced flying training with the Hongdu K-8. In 2010 the unit disbanded and was absorbed into 1 Flying Training Wing.

Aviation Press would like to thank the Sri Lankan Air Force for their hospitality and in particular Squadron Leader Nilanga Gunarathne and Corporal Nadeera Kariyawasam for their daily help and 4Aviation for their organisation of the trip.

CT102 DHC-1 Chipmunk at Ratmalana museum

F-7GS 5 Jet Sq Pilot preparing for a test flight

Mil Mi-17 Storage line at Katunayake

SMH-4428 Mi 171E of 4 VIP Squadron at Ratmalana

SAH-621 Mil Mi-35P of 9 Attack Helicopter Squadron at Hingurakgoda

SAH-623 Mil Mi-24P of 9 Attack Helicopter Squadron at Hingurakgoda

SAH-628 Mil Mi-35P of 9 Attack Helicopter Squadron at Hingurakgoda

SBT152 & 153 C150 & SBT187 PT-6 of 1 Flying Training Wing at China Bay

SBT-152 Cessna 150 of 1 Flying Training Wing at China Bay

SBT-153 Cessna 150 of 1 Flying Training Wing at China Bay

SBT-187 Nanchang PT-6 of 1 Flying Training Wing at China Bay

SBT-1162 Nanchang PT-6 of 1 Flying Training Wing at China Bay

SCH-880 Hercules C1K of 2 Heavy Transport Squadron at Katunayake

SCH-881 Hercules C1K of 2 Heavy Transport Squadron at Katunayake

SCL-852 Harbin Y-12-II of 8 Light Transport Squadron at Ratmalana

SCL-853 Harbin Y-12-II of 8 Light Transport Squadron at Katunayake

SCL-854 Harbin Y-12-II of 8 Light Transport Squadron at Ratmalana

SCL-859 Harbin Y-12-II of 8 Light Transport Squadron at Ratmalana

SCL-3125 Harbin Y-12-IV of 8 Light Transport Squadron at Ratmalana

SCL-3126 Harbin Y-12-IV of 8 Light Transport Squadron at Ratmalana

SCM-863 & 869 Antonov An-32B of 2 Heavy Transport Squadron at Katunayake

SCM-863 Antonov An-32B of 2 Heavy Transport Squadron undergoing an engine test at Katunayake

SFI-708 Chengdu F-7BS of 5 Jet Squadron at Katunayake

SFI-780 Chengdu F-7GS of 5 Jet Squadron at Katunayake

SFI-783 Chengdu F-7GS of 5 Jet Squadron undergoing deep maintenance at Katunayake

SFS762 MiG-27M ex 12 Squadron at Katunayake

SFT-703 Chengdu FT-7 of 5 Jet Squadron at Katunayake

SFT730 MiG-23UB ex 12 Squadron at Ratmalana

SHT-557 Bell B206B of 7 Helicopter Squadron at Hingurakgoda

SJT-740 Hongdu K-8 of 1 Flying Training Wing at China Bay

SJT-740 Hongdu K-8 of 1 Flying Training Wing detachment at Katunayake

SJT-749 Hongdu K-8 of 1 Flying Training Wing undergoing deep maintenance at Katunayake

SJT-1612 Hongdu K-8 of 1 Flying Training Wing detachment at Katunayake

SMH-588 Mil Mi-17-1V stored at Katunayake wearing a United Nations colour scheme

SMH-589 Mil Mi-17-1V of 6 Helicopter Squadron at Anuradhapura

SMH-595 Mil Mi-171 stored at Katunayake wearing a United Nations colour scheme

SMH-596 Mil Mi-171 stored at Katunayake wearing a United Nations colour scheme

SMH-598 Mil Mi-171 stored at Katunayake

SMH-4415 Mil Mi-171Sh ex 62 Flight stored at Katunayake wearing a United Nations colour scheme

SMH-4416 Mil Mi-171Sh ex 62 Flight stored at Katunayake wearing a United Nations colour scheme

SMH-4419 Mil Mi-171E of 61 Flight at Katunayake

SMH-4421 Mil Mi-171E of 61 Flight at Katunayake

SMH-4424 Mil Mi-171E of 6 Helicopter Squadron at Anuradhapura

SMH-4424 Mil Mi-171E of 6 Helicopter Squadron arriving at Hingurakgoda

SMH-4424 Mil Mi-171E of 6 Helicopter Squadron at Anuradhapura

SMH-4424 Mil Mi-171E and crew of 6 Helicopter Squadron at Hingurakgoda

SMH-4425 Mil Mi-171E of 61 Flight stored at Katunayake

SMH-4429 Mil Mi-171E of 4 VIP Helicopter Squadron at Katunayake

SMR-858 Harbin Y-12-II of 8 Light Transport Squadron at Ratmalana

SMR-2311 Beech 200 of 8 Light Transport Squadron at Ratmalana

SPR-660 Cessna 421C at the Technical Training School at Ekala

SUH-528 Bell 412EP of 4 VIP Helicopter Squadron at Katunayake. All this unit’s Bell 412s wear the serial SUH-522.

SUH-542 Bell 212 at the Technical Training School at Ekala

SUH-548 Bell 212 & SHT-557 Bell B206B of 7 Helicopter Squadron at Hingurakgoda

SUH-548 Bell 212 of 7 Helicopter Squadron at Hingurakgoda

SUH-566 Bell 212 of 7 Helicopter Squadron at Hingurakgoda

SFM5201 Kfir C2 of 10 Squadron at Katunayake (photo: Patrick Dirksen/Tristar Aviation)

SMR-843 B200T (HISAR) of 3 Squadron at China Bay (photo: Patrick Dirksen/Tristar Aviation)

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