The Sri Lanka Air Force inducted two Harbin Y-12 IV aircraft from China on Tuesday. The official transfer of the aircraft took place at a ceremony attended by Air Force Commander Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa and Den Ling from China National Aero Technology Import & Export Cooperation.

Addressing those gathered, the Air Force Commander expressed gratitude for the strategic partnership and emphasised the significance of these new additions to the Air Force’s fleet. He underscored the commitment to bolstering international collaborations, highlighting the enhanced operational capabilities these Harbin Y-12 IV aircraft bring to the Air Force.

The ceremony was attended by State Minister of Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China Qi Zhenhong, Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, along with other dignitaries. Guests included Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff Sagala Ratnayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence General Kamal Gunaratne (Retd), Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva, Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, Chief of Staff of the SLAF, Members of the Air Force Board of Management, officials from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Sri Lanka, representatives from China’s CATIC, and senior officers from the SLAF, among others.