US Navy TH-57 Sea Ranger helicopters to reinforce Sri Lanka Air Force
January 8, 2026
The United States has approved the transfer of 10 TH-57 Sea Ranger helicopters to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), responding directly to operational gaps exposed during the country’s recent cyclone emergency.
The helicopters, surplus to US Navy requirements, are being provided under Washington’s Excess Defense Articles (EDA) programme, with no cost for the aircraft themselves.
Delivery to Sri Lanka is expected in early 2026, with officials indicating the first batch could arrive as early as February.
What is the US Excess Defense Articles (EDA) programme?
Excess Defense Articles (EDA) are defence items owned by the US Department of Defense or the US Coast Guard that are no longer required and have been formally declared surplus by the US Armed Forces. These assets are offered to eligible partner nations at reduced or no cost on an “as is, where is” basis.
The EDA programme is designed to help allies and partners augment existing inventories of similar equipment, benefiting from established logistics and support structures.
Cyclone Ditwah exposes Sri Lanka Air Force helicopter shortages
The US decision follows Cyclone Ditwah, when limited aircraft availability severely constrained emergency evacuations, search and rescue missions, and the delivery of relief supplies across flood-affected regions.
Despite operating under significant strain, SLAF crews were at the forefront of rescue and relief operations during the cyclone, which struck in late November 2025 and displaced millions.
At the height of the emergency, the air force had only four helicopters immediately available for disaster response, two Bell 212s and two Mi-17s, forcing commanders to temporarily repurpose VIP aircraft for evacuation duties.
Additional assets, including a Bell 412, a Bell 206 JetRanger, and a KA-360ER reconnaissance aircraft, were later brought into service, but coverage remained thin across affected districts.
The operation also suffered a tragic loss when a Bell 212 delivering humanitarian aid made an emergency landing near Lunuwila Bridge in Wennappuwa. The pilot, Wing Commander Nirmal Siyambalapitiya, later died from his injuries, underscoring the risks faced by crews operating overstretched aircraft in difficult conditions.
Bell TH-57 Sea Ranger helicopter, training and utility workhorse
The Bell TH-57 Sea Ranger is a military training variant of the widely used Bell 206 JetRanger.
Originally derived from Bell’s entry into the US Army’s Light Observation Helicopter competition, the design went on to achieve global commercial and military success despite losing that contest.
For decades, the US Navy has operated the TH-57 at Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Florida, training hundreds of student pilots each year. The aircraft has built a strong reputation for straightforward handling, low operating costs, and mechanical reliability, qualities that make it well-suited to pilot training, utility flying, and light transport roles.
Powered by an Allison 250-series turboshaft engine, the Sea Ranger cruises at around 115–120 knots, has a service ceiling approaching 19,000 feet, and can operate economically from austere locations.
While not a frontline combat helicopter, it provides an effective platform for building aircrew proficiency and supporting humanitarian missions.
The US Navy began retiring the TH-57 fleet in fiscal year 2023 as it transitions to the TH-73A, freeing airframes for transfer to partners under the EDA framework.
US helicopter transfer focused on training and disaster response
US and Sri Lankan officials have stressed that the helicopters are intended primarily to strengthen pilot training pipelines and disaster-response readiness rather than add combat capability.
In a public statement, outgoing US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung said the transfer reflected Washington’s recognition of the critical role helicopters play during natural disasters, praising the professionalism demonstrated by SLAF personnel during Cyclone Ditwah.
The additional airframes are expected to ease pressure on the existing fleet, enabling more consistent pilot training while keeping operational helicopters available for emergencies.
Sri Lanka Air Force fleet recovery and helicopter refurbishment plans
The Sea Ranger transfer forms part of a wider effort to stabilise and rebuild Sri Lanka’s airlift and rotary-wing capabilities after years of underinvestment following the end of the civil war in 2009.
SLAF spokesman Group Captain Nalin Wewakumbura has confirmed that 2026 will be a year of major fleet overhauls. Several Mi-17 helicopters are scheduled for refurbishment by the end of January, following cabinet approval of an urgent life-extension programme covering four aircraft at an estimated cost of around $18 million.
The contract has been awarded to Bosnia-based Winsley Defence Group, with local support from Securatec Lanka. One of the overhauled Mi-17s is expected to deploy on United Nations missions once returned to service.
In parallel, Sri Lanka is due to receive two C-130 transport aircraft, one from the United States and one from Australia, in 2026 and 2027, respectively, significantly improving medium-lift capability.
Incremental modernisation of Sri Lanka Air Force under budget constraints
Beyond helicopters and transport aircraft, Colombo has pursued incremental upgrades across the air force.
These include the induction of Beechcraft King Air 360ER and 350 aircraft, engagement with Israel Aerospace Industries to modernise Kfir fighters to the C12 standard, and the acceptance of Harbin Y-12 utility aircraft from China. Reports also indicate Sri Lanka is exploring the acquisition of a Pakistani Chengdu J-7 aircraft to bolster its fighter inventory.
Officials have also spoken publicly about strengthening air defence, radar coverage, and unmanned systems, although funding constraints continue to shape the pace and scale of acquisitions.
Featured image: U.S. Embassy Colombo, Sri Lanka
