SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
In a decisive move that underscores its strategic priorities, the Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) has chosen to extend the life of its ageing fleet of Kfir fighter jets, rejecting competitive offers from India and China for the Tejas Mk1A and JF-17 Thunder, respectively. The SLAF has instead inked a US$49 million deal with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to upgrade five of its Kfir C2, C7, and TC2 aircraft to a near Block 60 standard, equipping them with advanced 4+ generation avionics and setting the stage for future enhancements.
The Kfir, an Israeli-designed all-weather multirole combat aircraft derived from the French Dassault Mirage 5, has been a mainstay of the SLAF since the 1990s. Featuring Israeli avionics and a locally built version of the General Electric J79 turbojet engine, the Kfir played a pivotal role during Sri Lanka’s 26-year civil war, delivering precision strikes against insurgent targets. Despite its age, the aircraft’s rugged design and combat-proven performance have prompted the SLAF to invest in its modernization rather than opt for newer platforms.
Under the agreement with IAI, the upgrades will transform the Kfirs’ basic avionics into a 4+ generation system, paving the way for the integration of advanced radar, sensors, communication systems, and new helmets in the future. The overhaul, which will take place in Sri Lanka with local personnel trained by IAI, is expected to extend the jets’ service life by 15 years. This move not only preserves the SLAF’s existing investment but also ensures continuity in operational expertise.
India had pitched its indigenous Tejas Mk1A, a lightweight fighter developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), as a cost-effective replacement. Meanwhile, China, in collaboration with Pakistan, offered the JF-17 Thunder, a multirole jet co-produced by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and Chengdu Aircraft Corporation. Both aircraft promised modern capabilities at competitive prices, with India emphasizing regional partnership and China leveraging its growing defense ties in South Asia. However, posts on X and defense circles suggest that Sri Lanka’s decision may reflect a preference for maintaining its long-standing relationship with Israel and avoiding reliance on Chinese or Pakistani technology amid geopolitical sensitivities.
The upgraded Kfirs, nearing the Block 60 standard, will retain their supersonic prowess—capable of Mach 2 speeds—while gaining enhanced situational awareness and combat flexibility. The deal includes a spare parts package, ensuring sustainability over the next decade and a half. SLAF Commander Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana, speaking earlier this year, defended the choice, arguing that reviving the Kfir fleet was more economical than purchasing new aircraft, which could cost upwards of $40 million per unit. “We’ve already invested heavily in the Kfirs, and they’ve served us well. This upgrade preserves our fighter capability without breaking the bank,” he said.
The decision comes as the SLAF seeks to maintain a credible air deterrent in peacetime, having learned from past lapses in air power readiness following the civil war’s end in 2009. The Kfir fleet, once numbering 15, has dwindled to five operational airframes due to combat losses and accidents, including a mid-air collision in 2011 and an LTTE attack in 2001. The IAI upgrade, which began last month, aims to restore the No. 10 Fighter Squadron to full strength, with the first aircraft expected to roll out within two years.
For Israel Aerospace Industries, the contract reinforces the Kfir’s enduring appeal. IAI’s Aviation Group head, Yossi Melamed, hailed the deal as a stepping stone toward future upgrades, potentially to the Kfir New Generation (KNG) model. The success of a similar modernization program for Colombia’s Kfir fleet, which outperformed F-15s and F-16s at the U.S. Red Flag exercise, likely influenced Sri Lanka’s confidence in the upgrade path.
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