Ten (10) TH-57 ‘Sea Ranger’ multi-role helicopters granted by the Government of the United States of America to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) have arrived in Sri Lanka by sea. 

According to the SLAF, the arrival of these aircraft marks a significant milestone in the longstanding defence cooperation between Sri Lanka and the United States and represents a valuable contribution towards enhancing the operational and training capabilities of the Sri Lanka Air Force.

The SLAF further said that the helicopters are currently undergoing configurations and technical preparations at the SLAF Base in Ratmalana. 

Following the completion of requisite inspections, acceptance procedures and test flights, the aircraft will be inducted into service and deployed for operational duties.

The TH-57 fleet is expected to significantly strengthen Sri Lanka Air Force’s aviation training capacity while enhancing the ability to support a broad spectrum of national requirements. 

The aircraft will primarily be employed for pilot training, humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) operations, search and rescue (SAR) missions and other public service commitments undertaken by the Sri Lanka Air Force. (Newswire)

The post Ten US‑donated TH‑57 helicopters arrive in Sri Lanka appeared first on Newswire.

The Sri Lanka Air Force has announced that a Bell 412 helicopter has been deployed to assist in extinguishing a fire that broke out at the Karadiyana garbage dump in Bokundara today (10).

It is reported that the blaze erupted around midday at the waste yard, prompting immediate action by the Moratuwa Municipal Council’s firefighting unit. 

Fire engines were dispatched to the site to prevent the flames from spreading and to bring the situation under control.

Authorities confirmed that the helicopter was brought in to bolster ground efforts. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and investigations are underway. (Newswire)

The post Air Force helicopter deployed to battle Karadiyana garbage dump fire appeared first on Newswire.

The United States Government has transferred ten operational TH-57 Sea Ranger helicopters, a military variant of the renowned Bell 206B-3 Jet Ranger, manufactured by Bell Helicopter Textron USA,  to Sri Lanka.

According to the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington D.C., these highly capable helicopters are currently undergoing final preparations for shipment and are slated to embark on their journey to Sri Lanka at the beginning of February.

The transfer addresses a critical and long-standing operational requirement for the Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF), bolstering its fleet with versatile aircraft essential for a wide array of general-purpose missions. 

The TH-57 Sea Ranger has a distinguished service history with the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard since 1968, proving its reliability and adaptability. Globally, this helicopter model is highly valued for diverse roles including advanced pilot training, passenger transport, disaster response, maritime search and rescue, and various humanitarian operations. The SLAF itself has a rich history of operating Bell 206 Jet Rangers since 1969, making these new additions a natural and highly complementary fit for their existing infrastructure and expertise.

The profound strategic importance of this donation was underscored by Dr. Andrew Byers, Deputy Assistant Director of War, who remarked: “The transfer of these ten TH-57 helicopters marks another important step in U.S.-Sri Lanka defense relations—much like the December transfer of a former U.S. Coast Guard cutter as well as the disaster relief provided by U.S. Department of War service members and aircraft to the people of Sri Lanka in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah. We look forward to working with the Sri Lankan Air Force as they begin to field this new capability.”

The Sri Lankan Embassy noted that these sentiments highlight the enduring and strengthening partnership between the United States and Sri Lanka in enhancing regional security, disaster preparedness, and humanitarian assistance efforts.

The integration of the helicopters into the SLAF fleet is anticipated to significantly elevate the nation’s capacity for rapid response, humanitarian aid delivery, and overall air domain effectiveness.

The Sri Lankan Embassy added that Sri Lanka is thankful to the United States for consistently assisting the country at times of need. (Newswire)

The post US to transfer 10 TH-57 Sea Ranger helicopters to Sri Lanka appeared first on Newswire.

The United States has announced that it will offer 10 US Navy TH‑57 (Bell 206 SEA RANGER) helicopters to the Sri Lanka Air Force at no cost for the equipment itself. 

Taking to ‘X’, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung said the helicopters, manufactured in Texas and built for reliability, are being transferred under the Excess Defence Articles Program.

She further said that the helicopters are expected to arrive in Sri Lanka in early 2026.

“So pleased that the United States can offer 10 @USNavy TH‑57 (Bell 206 SEA RANGER) helicopters to @AirForceLK at no cost for the equipment itself. Crises like Cyclone Ditwah demonstrate the vital role helicopters play in search & rescue. These 10 helicopters will support the Sri Lanka Air Force by enhancing its fleet & pilot training for more effective disaster response,” she said.

The move is expected to significantly strengthen Sri Lanka’s disaster preparedness and response capacity, particularly in search and rescue operations during emergencies such as Cyclone Ditwah. (Newswire)

The post Sri Lanka to receive 10 Bell 206 helicopters from the US appeared first on Newswire.

The Cabinet has approved a multi-million dollar contract for the urgent overhaul of four MI-17 helicopters operated by the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), at a cost of around US$4.5 million per helicopter. 

According to the Sunday Times, a complete report pertaining to the MI-17 overhaul and service life extension tender will be submitted to the Cabinet next week.

The total cost of the overhaul and service life extension is estimated at US$18 million, while the budget also includes round-trip transport and insurance for the aircraft.

M/s Winsley Defence Group d.o.o. of Bosnia and Herzegovina, whose local agent is M/s Securatec Lanka (Pvt) Limited, has been awarded the tender after being identified as the lowest evaluated substantially responsive bidder.  

The SLAF initiated the bidding process in 2023, but progress was delayed due to bureaucratic hurdles. Winsley Defence Group was ultimately selected following evaluation of the bids.

Emphasizing the urgency of the overhaul, a senior SLAF official said the helicopters are long overdue for maintenance and warned that further delays could impact local operations such as flood rescue missions, as well as UN deployments involving SLAF personnel. (Newswire)

The post Cabinet approves multi-million-dollar overhaul of four MI-17 helicopters appeared first on Newswire.

Ghana’s Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed were among the eight people killed in a helicopter crash on Wednesday.

Everyone on the military Z9 helicopter was killed in the accident in Ghana’s central Ashanti region, a government spokesperson said.

The Ghanaian Armed Forces said the air force helicopter took off in the morning from the capital, Accra, and was heading northwest into the interior toward the gold-mining area of Obuasi in Ashanti when it went off the radar.

The wreckage was later found in the forested Adansi area of Ashanti.

Three other officials, including the vice chair of the ruling National Democratic Congress party, Samuel Sarpong, were killed alongside three Ghana Air Force crew members.

The cause of the crash was not immediately known, and the armed forces said they had launched an investigation.

Ghana news site My Joy Online reported a strong security presence of military and police at the crash site.

Ghanaian media reported that the helicopter was on its way to an event on illegal mining, a major environmental issue in the west African country. (DW)

The post Ghana: Two ministers among eight killed in helicopter crash appeared first on Newswire.

Two Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) helicopter gunners and three Special Forces personnel have been confirmed dead after a Bell 212 helicopter crashed into the Maduru Oya reservoir this morning.

The helicopter, which took off from the Hingurakgoda Air Force Base for a training exercise, went down during the flight.

Investigations are ongoing.

UPDATE: Another Special Forces soldier has succumbed to injuries while receiving treatment at the hospital, bringing the total death toll to six. (Newswire)

The post Several deaths reported due to Helicopter crash appeared first on Newswire.

An American Airlines jet was “split in two” after it collided with a military helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, prompting a large search-and-rescue operation in the nearby Potomac River.

There was no immediate word on casualties, but all takeoffs and landings from the airport near Washington were halted as helicopters from agencies across the region flew over the scene in search of survivors.

Inflatable rescue boats were being launched into the Potomac River from a point near the airport along the George Washington Parkway, just north of the airport.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the midair collision occurred around 9 p.m. EST when a regional jet that had departed from Wichita, Kansas, smashed into a military Blackhawk helicopter while on approach to an airport runway. (Express US)

Jan 29: American Airlines plane crashed into a helicopter while landing at Reagan National Airport near Washington, DC – this led to reported fatalities and a search and rescue in the Potomac River – flights at the airport have been halted

pic.twitter.com/BzqfmTavm9

— Codey369 (@Codeym369) January 30, 2025

The post Plane & Helicopter crash in US (Video) appeared first on Newswire.

A panel of investigators has been appointed to look into the incident of an MI-17 helicopter of the Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) crash-landing in the Central African Republic.

According to the SLAF, the helicopter had crash-landed due to bad weather during a United Nations (UN) mission in the Central African Republic.

The SLAF further said there were no reports of casualty and the crew are reported to be safe. 

An investigation panel has been appointed to look into the incident on the directives of the SLAF Commander. (NewsWire)

The post Investigators appointed to probe SLAF helicopter crash in Central Africa appeared first on Newswire.