U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung announced via her official X (formerly Twitter) account that ten TH-57 (Bell 206 Sea Ranger) helicopters, currently operated by the U.S. Navy, will be provided to Sri Lanka.
The helicopters will be delivered free of charge, with no cost for the aircraft or their equipment. The donation is being made under the U.S. government’s Excess Defense Articles (EDA) Program.
According to the announcement, the helicopters are expected to arrive in Sri Lanka during the first half of this year.
The addition of these aircraft is expected to significantly enhance the Sri Lanka Air Force’s capabilities in search and rescue missions, disaster response, and humanitarian operations.
