The Indian Air Force Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria was on a two day visit to Sri Lanka from March 3-5, 2021 on an invitation from the Commander of the Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF), Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana. He was invited to attend the inaugural ceremony of 70th-anniversary celebrations of the SLAF consisting of an air show at Galle Face, Colombo.
- Apart from the IAF Chief Presence, the event also saw participation of 23 aircrafts of the IAF and Indian Navy along with Suryakirans and Sarang aerobatic display teams and India’s indigenous fighter aircraft Tejas LCA (Light Combat Aircraft).
- This was RKS Bhadauria’s second visit to a key neighbour of India. Last week he visited Bangladesh.
- The visit was to strengthen Indo-Sri Lankan bilateral ties.
Suryakiran, Sarang teams and Tejas performed at Colombo air show
The Suryakiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) aka Hawks, Sarang helicopter display teams along with the Tejas LCA, Tejas Trainer and Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft performed at an air show.
- This was the first performance for the SKAT team outside India since it was resurrected in 2015 with Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers (AJT). Earlier, the SKAT team toured Sri Lanka during the 50th anniversary of SLAF in 2001.
IAF chief met with Sri Lanka dignitaries
RKS Bhadauria interacted with Sri Lankan President Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne.
Additional Info:
India has listed out 156 defence equipment for exports which include the indigenous LCA Tejas, artillery guns, battle tanks and missiles, anti-tank mines, and explosives.
Recent Related News:
i.On February 4, 2021 The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) repaid USD 400 million currency swap to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). RBI and Sri Lanka entered into this facility in July 2020 under the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) currency swap framework.
ii.On February 2, 2021, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) 2nd Exclusive Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Tejas Fighter Jets Production Plant at Doddanekundi, Bangalore, Karnataka.
About Sri Lanka:
Capital– Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, Colombo
Currency– Sri Lankan rupee
