Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has completed a modernization program for the Sri Lanka Air Force’s Kfir fighter aircraft, extending the service life of the aging fleet and adding new avionics and mission capabilities.
The milestone was marked by the first successful flight of an upgraded aircraft, according to IAI.
The project included structural refurbishment, avionics upgrades, mission system enhancements, and maintenance improvements intended to boost operational readiness and keep the fighters in service for years to come.
At the center of the upgrade is a new glass cockpit and modern mission systems designed to improve navigation, communications, situational awareness, mission planning, and precision weapons employment.
IAI said the improvements reduce pilot workload while increasing combat effectiveness.
Sri Lanka’s Kfir
The Kfir is an Israeli-built multirole fighter aircraft developed in the 1970s and originally based on the French Mirage design, later modified with an Israeli-made engine and avionics.
It served with the Israeli Air Force before being exported to several countries and continues to operate today in roles ranging from combat training to adversary simulation.
The Kfir first entered service in Sri Lanka in 1996 and plays a key role in the country’s air defense capability.
“The successful modernization of the Sri Lanka Air Force fleet demonstrates how advanced technologies can be integrated into proven platforms to address evolving operational requirements and modern battlefield challenges,” IAI Chairperson Boaz Levy said.
