Next week, Sri Lanka will get a brand-new Beechcraft King Air 360ER plane that was donated by the United States as part of the Building Partner Capacity initiative of the U.S. Department of Defense. This $19 million commitment is a part of a larger partnership that was started in 2019 with the goal of enhancing the capabilities of the Sri Lanka Air Force. The aircraft will improve the nation’s anti-trafficking, drug interdiction, search and rescue, and maritime surveillance efforts.
The King Air 360ER, which was produced by Beechcraft Textron Aviation and finished in late 2022, was further enhanced earlier this year with the addition of marine patrol sensors, including as radar and cameras. A three-month training program led by U.S. government experts will guarantee that Sri Lankan Air Force personnel are properly qualified to operate and maintain the aircraft. After this training and induction time is over, the formal handover is anticipated.