Sri Lanka Air Force inducts TH-57 helicopters

Bell 206 TH-57 Sea Ranger helicopters operate over SLAF base Ratmalana on 23 June 2026. (US Embassy in Sri Lanka)

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has formally inducted 10 US-supplied Bell 206 TH-57 Sea Ranger helicopters into service.

The SLAF said the helicopters were commissioned at a ceremony at SLAF Base Ratmalana on 23 June, following their transfer from the US government. The acquisition follows a January 2026 announcement by the US Embassy in Sri Lanka that the helicopters would be provided at no cost under the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) programme.

The Texas-built helicopters “were previously flown by the US Navy for pilot training and utility missions”, the US Embassy said on 23 June. The embassy added that the Sea Rangers were delivered as mission-ready platforms, having been in active US Navy service until 2025.

Photographs published by the embassy in January showed TH-57C models being prepared for delivery to Sri Lanka. The TH-57C is an advanced instrument–rating version of the Bell 206B-3 JetRanger III, configured as a primary trainer.

According to the SLAF, the acquisition will enhance its rotary-wing pilot training programme and support operational readiness. The embassy added that the helicopters will bolster “Sri Lanka's capacity to respond to humanitarian crises and secure its maritime domain”.

The SLAF is a longstanding operator of Bell platforms, currently fielding five Bell 206A helicopters acquired in 1969, two 412EP helicopters acquired in 2000, and five 212 inducted in 1984, according to Janes data. Several of these platforms are in service with the SLAF's No 4 Squadron at Ratmalana.