No. 10 "Fighter" Squadronis asquadronof theSri Lanka Air Force.It currently operates theIAI KfirfromSLAF Katunayake.The squadron is tasked with providing offensive support for ground & maritime (anti-shipping) operations,air interdictionand interception. It specializes in high altitudeprecisionground attacks.[1][2]
| No. 10 Fighter Squadron | |
|---|---|
 An IAI Kfir of the No. 10 "Fighter" Squadron | |
| Active | January 5, 1996 - to present day |
| Country |  Sri Lanka |
| Branch |  Sri Lanka Air Force |
| Role | Offensive Support, Air Defence |
| Station | SLAF Katunayake |
| Nickname(s) | Kfir Squadron |
| Motto(s) | total success in operations during day and night with right attitude, right training and full-time readiness |
| Equipment | IAI Kfir |
| Engagements | Sri Lankan Civil War |
| Decorations | 3Weera Wickrama Vibhushanaya |
| Commanders | |
| Commanding Officer | Wing Commander Shehan Fernando |
History
editThe squadron was formed on January 5, 1996 at theSLAF Katunayakewith six IAI Kfirmulti-role fighter jetsacquired fromIsrael,withUS State Departmentapproval. These included five C2 types and a TC.2 type trainer. At its formation the squadron had six pilots, four engineers and 70 technicians along with the six aircraft. In 2000, the squadron received eight more Kfirs that included C7 types and another trainer.
On November 2, 2007 the Sri Lankan Air Force claimed that aircraft from the squadron killed theLTTE’s Political Wing LeaderS.P. Thamilselvanand a group of LTTE cadres in an air raid. During the last phase of the war it maintained units atSLAF China Bay.[3]
In March 2009, the squadron was presented with thePresident’s Colours.[4]
By 2017 only one Kfir was serviceable out of 7 whileMig 23andMig 27of theNo. 12 Squadrongrounded in the same year.[5]
In 2021 government approved a US$49 million deal withIsrael Aerospace Industriesto update the remaining five Kfirs to Block 60 standard.[6]
Aircraft operated
edit
Year of introduction
- IAI Kfir C2- 1996
- IAI Kfir TC2- 1996
- IAI Kfir C7- 2000
Notable members
editReferences
edit- ^"NO 10 FIGHTER SQUADRON | Sri Lanka Air Force".www.airforce.lk.Retrieved2021-12-11.
- ^"NO 10 FIGHTER SQUADRON 'LION CUBS' CELEBRATE SILVER JUBILEE | Sri Lanka Air Force".www.slaf.gov.lk.Retrieved2021-12-11.
- ^"Bringing back Kfirs - Sri Lanka's infamous warplanes to get US$50 million revamp | Tamil Guardian".www.tamilguardian.com.Retrieved2021-12-11.
- ^Presentation of President's Colours to SLAF Formations[permanent dead link]
- ^Gady, Franz-Stefan."Sri Lanka Mulls Purchase of New Fighter Aircraft".thediplomat.com.Retrieved2021-12-11.
- ^"Govt. green-lights $ 49 m fighter jet overhaul as No. 10 Squadron turns 25 | Daily FT".www.ft.lk.Retrieved2021-12-11.