‘Sri Lanka “Priority One” Partner In Defence’: India To Send 23 Aircraft For 70th Anniversary Of Island Nation’s Air Force

Indian High Commission in Colombo yesterday (28 February) described the island nation of Sri Lanka as its "Priority One" partner in the defence sphere and reiterated the assurance of fullest cooperation in the field of defence and security, reports Economic Times.

The assertion comes at a time when the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) is gearing up for the celebration of its 70th anniversary on 2 March.

A total of 23 Indian Air force (IAF) and Indian Navy aircraft will also partake in the event. Indian High Commission has called the participation indicative of the growing cooperation, camaraderie and friendship between the armed forces of the two nations.

SLAF has planned to commemorate the event by holding a Fly Past and an Aerobatic Display which will be organised in the nation for the first time on a grand scale.

The Indian aircraft to partake in these events will include Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Sarang which will perform an aerobatic display, Surya Kiran planes, Tejas fighter jet, Tejas trainer jet, and Dornier maritime patrol aircraft.

As per the details shared by Indian High Commission, it should be noted that the Indian aircraft on display in the events would all be "Made in India", representing the indigenous technical prowess of the Indian research and development sector and the reliability of the Indian defence industry.