Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Commander, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, recently attended the Air and Space Power Conference (ASPC) 2024 in Australia, which centered on the theme of “Building readiness and resilience in National Air and Space Power.” The conference served as a platform for high-ranking defense leaders, policymakers, and military representatives from various nations to convene and discuss pertinent issues.
During the event, Air Marshal Rajapaksa engaged in bilateral discussions with several prominent figures. Notably, he met with Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Australia, Chithranganee Wagiswara, to discuss ongoing collaborative efforts in Maritime Domain Awareness and explore opportunities for joint exercises with the Australian Military. These discussions underscored the commitment to strengthening ties between the two nations in matters of defense and security.
Moreover, talks with the Ministry of Home Affairs in Australia focused on enhancing SLAF’s capabilities through the donation of the Beechcraft King Air 350 aircraft. This donation aims to bolster Sri Lanka Air Force’s Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, as well as provide valuable training opportunities for personnel. Such collaborations highlight the importance of international partnerships in addressing common security challenges.
Air Marshal Rajapaksa also engaged in discussions with Vice Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Takuto OGASWARA of Japan, emphasizing the significance of defense cooperation and joint training, particularly in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) efforts. Additionally, meetings with the Chief of the Royal Australian Air Force, Air Marshal Robert Chipman, were held to strengthen defense cooperation between Sri Lanka and Australia. These interactions aimed to foster greater synergy and collaboration between the air forces of both nations for mutual benefit and regional security.