IAF joins Sri Lankan Air Force's 70th anniversary bash

The flypast by IAF's Suryakiran Display Team was significant and reminiscent of their performance at the Golden Jubilee celebrations of SLAF, two decades ago. Anish Singh reports

Indian Air Force chief ACM RKS Bhadauria participated in the Sri Lankan Air Force's 70th-anniversary celebrations in Colombo on Wednesday.
 

Invited by his Sri Lankan counterpart Air Marshal Sudarshana  Pathirana, the Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria witnessed a flypast and aerobatic display carried out by IAF's Sarang and Surya Kiran teams.

The air show at Galle Face Colombo also saw the participation of India's home-grown fighter jet Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, roaring over the Sri Lankan skies.
 

The flypast by IAF's Suryakiran Display Team was significant and reminiscent of their performance at the Golden Jubilee celebrations of SLAF, two decades ago.

During the course of his two-day visit, ACM Bhadauria will interact with various dignitaries and the heads of Services of the Armed Forces of Sri Lanka. 
 

"IAF and SLAF have had consistent cooperative exchanges over the years and interact regularly through Headquarter level Air Staff talks to share valuable experiences in the fields of the ground and flying training, professional military education, HADR & operational best practices," IAF PRO Wing Commander Ashish Moghe said.

In recent years, the two forces have increased their inter-personnel engagements through exchange visits of serving personnel and families.
 

"His presence during the inaugural day of the Air Show reinforces the strength of IAF-SLAF ties. The visit will further strengthen the existing cooperative process and open up newer avenues of mutual interest," he added.
 

The IAF contingent had arrived in Colombo on February 27.