US Bolsters Sri Lanka’s Air Force with TH-57 Fleet
The United States has announced a major step to strengthen Sri Lanka's disaster response capabilities, following lessons learned from recent crises like Cyclone Ditwah.In a move hailed as a game-changer for emergency preparedness, the U.S. Embassy in Colombo confirmed the transfer of ten U.S. Navy TH-57 helicopters to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) under the Excess Defense Articles Program.The TH-57 helicopters-Bell 206 Sea Rangers, manufactured in Texas and renowned for their reliability-are expected to arrive in Sri Lanka in early 2026. These aircraft will significantly enhance SLAF's fleet and pilot training capacity, ensuring faster and more effective search-and-rescue operations during natural disasters.On 18th November 2025, speaking during the debate on allocations for the Ministry of Defence and Public Security, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara detailed a series of agreements with global partners aimed at upgrading the country's defense capabilities."The United States will supply 10 TH57 helicopters," he said.
