No. 10 "Fighter" Squadron is a squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force. It currently operates the IAI Kfir from SLAF Katunayake. The squadron is tasked with providing offensive support for ground & maritime (anti-shipping) operations, air interdiction and interception. It specializes in high altitude precision ground 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 | 3 Weera Wickrama Vibhushanaya |
| Commanders | |
| Commanding Officer | Wing Commander Shehan Fernando |
History
editThe squadron was formed on January 5, 1996 at the SLAF Katunayake with six IAI Kfir multi-role fighter jets acquired from Israel, with US State Department approval. 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 the LTTE’s Political Wing Leader S.P. Thamilselvan and a group of LTTE cadres in an air raid. During the last phase of the war it maintained units at SLAF China Bay.[3]
In March 2009, the squadron was presented with the President’s Colours.[4]
By 2017 only one Kfir was serviceable out of 7 while Mig 23 and Mig 27 of the No. 12 Squadron grounded in the same year.[5]
In 2021 government approved a US$49 million deal with Israel Aerospace Industries to 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. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
- ^ "NO 10 FIGHTER SQUADRON 'LION CUBS' CELEBRATE SILVER JUBILEE | Sri Lanka Air Force". www.slaf.gov.lk. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
- ^ "Bringing back Kfirs - Sri Lanka's infamous warplanes to get US$50 million revamp | Tamil Guardian". www.tamilguardian.com. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
- ^ Presentation of President's Colours to SLAF Formations[permanent dead link]
- ^ Gady, Franz-Stefan. "Sri Lanka Mulls Purchase of New Fighter Aircraft". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
- ^ "Govt. green-lights $ 49 m fighter jet overhaul as No. 10 Squadron turns 25 | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2021-12-11.