Indian Navy’s Advanced Light Helicopter in Sri Lanka

Indian Navy’s Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) arrived at SLAF base Katunayake to train Sri Lanka Air Force Pilots and Sri Lanka Navy ships for shipborne helicopter operations on Oct. 19.

The training will familiarise SLAF Pilots with the ALH and provide co-pilot experience. Further, the training team is also scheduled to undertake extensive Deck Landing Practice onboard a Sri Lanka Navy Ship.

The training deployment is in line with the capacity-building initiative of the Government of India amongst its neighbors as part of the ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’.

The engagement would also foster closer interoperability and seamless conduct of coordinated Maritime Operations.

It may be recalled that the deployment of the indigenous ALH helicopter in Sri Lanka was undertaken from 23-31 March 2022 to train SLAF pilots for co-pilot experience during deck landings and Landing training for SLN personnel, a niche capability to achieve.

The high level of understanding and coordination between the Armed Forces of the two countries further cemented the close relations achieved through millennia-old friendly ties between the two neighbors.