The United States has transferred 10 TH-57 Bell 206 helicopters to the Sri Lankan Air Force under the Excess Defense Articles program, aiming to strengthen the country’s emergency response, disaster relief, and pilot training capabilities. Derived from the Bell Jet Ranger 206 platform previously used by the US Navy, the helicopters are expected to arrive in Sri Lanka as early as February. According to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the transfer directly addresses capability gaps exposed during Cyclone Ditwah in November 2025, when limited aircraft availability slowed evacuation and search-and-rescue operations. Beyond humanitarian assistance, the handover reflects deepening defense ties between Washington and Colombo. Bilateral cooperation has expanded through equipment donations, training initiatives, and institutional agreements. In November 2025, Sri Lanka signed a memorandum of understanding under the US Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program with the Montana National Guard and US Coast Guard District 13. The agreement covers joint training, maritime security, disaster response, cyber defense, and professional military education. Additional US assistance in recent years includes explosive ordnance disposal training equipment, Tactical Combat Casualty Care instruction at Sri Lanka’s School of Military Engineering, and the delivery of a Beechcraft King Air 360ER surveillance aircraft in late 2022 to enhance maritime domain awareness.
