US Conducts ISR Flight Demo for Sri Lankan Military

COLOMBO (News 1st); The United States Department of Defence via the US Embassy in Sri Lanka is facilitating Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) flight demonstrations for the Sri Lankan Military.

This significant training programme commenced at SLAF Base Ratmalana on 12th March, and will continue until 14th March 2024. 

According to the Sri Lanka Air Force, the primary objective is to provide comprehensive briefings and conduct Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) flight demonstrations, with an emphasis placed on enhancing Sri Lanka’s capabilities in Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) missions.

The Sri Lanka Air Force said that the initiative aims to enhance Sri Lanka's maritime domain awareness capabilities, provide training to SLAF pilots and Sri Lanka’s Tri-Services involved in maritime surveillance in preparation for future engagement opportunities with the United States and strengthen interoperability and relations between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Government of the United States to promote a more safe and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.  

Over time, this new capability will help Sri Lankan Tri-Services to better protect Sri Lanka’s marine resources, deter illicit trafficking, monitor its exclusive economic zone, and ensure the security of its seas, said a statement. 

The ISR Demonstration will help to establish the requisite infrastructure and support for future training and cooperation with the SLAF, including joint security exercises, MDA initiatives, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations, ultimately encouraging greater interoperability between the United States Department of Defense and the Sri Lanka Tri-Services.

US Ambassador to Sri Lanka said the demonstration showcased capabilities to enhance the protection of maritime resources, counter illicit trafficking, monitor Sri Lanka's exclusive economic zone, and secure its seas.

She said that the United States is dedicated to its partnership and collective efforts to foster collaboration in humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and maritime security, contributing to a safer and more prosperous Indo-Pacific region.