Cabinet approval has been granted for the proposal made by President Maithripala Sirisena, as the Defense Minister to obtain expressions of interest from interested aircraft manufacturers, assistant manufacturers and authorized government agents on the government to government basis to purchase new multirole fighters (aircraft) and associated weapons, Parliamentary Reforms and Media Minister and Cabinet Spokesman Gayantha Karunathilaka said.
Addressing the weekly Cabinet Press briefing at the Government Information Department Auditorium, Colombo yesterday he said that the fighter aircraft of the Sri Lanka Air Force have been aging and it is required to update them due to the importance of maintaining the oceanic security and to face any unexpected threat.
Health Minister and Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said between eight and 12 aircraft will be purchased. At the moment only one Kafir aircraft is air worthy while the rest six Kafirs cannot be used. We have seven MIG aircraft and eight other aircraft but none of them can be used. The government will consider all offers and will select a suitable one, he added.
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