Sri Lanka announces intention to buy additional Mi-24s as first flight of Mi-24 upgrade expected at MAKS

Published: 7/26/1999

Sri Lanka is planning to buy several Russian warships and two Mi-24 combat helicopters according to report in a local newspaper. The Sri Lankan newspaper "The Island" reports that a delegation from the Sri Lankan navy visited Russia recently to discuss a contract on the delivery of three ex Russian Navy warships and that the country's Ministry of Defence was considering additional piurchases of Mi-24s. Russia remains Sri Lanka's principal source of aviation equipment and the two new Mi-24s join six Mi-24s that the air force already deploys in combat operations against Tamil separatists. The modernisation of the ubiquitous Mi-24 is due to be completed by the beginning of the MAKS-99 international air show which commences on the 17th August. When the helicopter's manufacturers will roll out, according to a Russian Defence Ministry spokesman, the new Mi-24 equipped with night-vision devices. The early completion of the modernisation program according to the ministry's spokesman was due to Deputy Prime Minister Ilya Klebanov's recent directive ordering greater haste in the implementation of upgrade projects. Klebanov's concern being that upgrade orders from among an installed fleet of more than 2,000 helicopters may be lost to other foreign suppliers.

Article ID: 697