As part of efforts to bolster emergency response and aviation training, the United States has officially handed over 10 TH-57 Bell 206 helicopters to the Sri Lankan Air Force through the Excess Defense Articles program. The helicopters, derived from the Bell Jet Ranger 206 and formerly used by the US Navy for training and utility missions, are expected to be delivered to Sri Lanka by early February.
According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the aircraft will play a key role in improving disaster relief operations, particularly in response to lessons learned from Cyclone Ditwah in late 2025. During the storm, shortages in available rotary-wing assets slowed evacuation procedures and constrained search-and-rescue operations, highlighting the need for additional helicopters.
The transfer also reflects the deepening US–Sri Lanka defense partnership, which increasingly emphasizes practical cooperation and operational readiness. Recent years have seen expanded collaboration across multiple domains, including aviation, maritime security, and military training.
Complementing the helicopter transfer, Sri Lanka entered a State Partnership Program agreement in November 2025 with the Montana National Guard, US Coast Guard District 13, and US defense institutions. Additional US support has included explosive ordnance disposal training equipment, Tactical Combat Casualty Care instruction in mid-2025, and the delivery of a Beechcraft King Air 360ER maritime surveillance aircraft in 2022, further strengthening Sri Lanka’s defense and monitoring capabilities.
