The Sri Lankan air force plans to draw up a requirements document for submission to the country's government later this year, which is likely to request the acquisition of new aircraft to cover recent losses.
Investigations into the 9 June crash of a Sri Lankan air force MiG-27 has revealed damage to the engine's compressor blades, says Air Vice Marshal Donald Perera. "Visual checks show that some compressor blades had given way. We have to see whether it is due to a technical defect or foreign object damage, such as a bird strike."
The fighter was flying with Sri Lanka's lone MiG-23UB trainer, when its pilot reported an engine malfunction, before ejecting. The loss leaves the service with just three of the six MiG-27s it acquired from Ukraine. One was destroyed during a July 2001 raid on the air force's main base at Katunayake by Tamil Tiger rebels, while a second was lost during an accident.
Perera declined to confirm reports that the air force aims to rebuild and strengthen its fleets of MiG-27 and Israel Aircraft Industries Kfir fighters, Mil Mi-17 transport helicopters and Karakorum K-8 jet trainers. "Whatever we need to meet operational requirements we will project to the government. It may not necessarily be MiGs, but may be even better aircraft," he says.
However, the Sri Lankan government is trying to cut its defence spending following a two-year truce and ongoing peace talks with the Tamil Tigers.
ROHAN GUNASEKERA / COLOMBO
Source: Flight International
