SLAF COMPLETES FIRST Y-12 (IV) OVERHAUL
The Aircraft Overhaul Wing (AOW) at SLAF Base Katunayake successfully delivered a life-extended Y-12 (IV) aircraft to No. 8 Light Transport Squadron at SLAF Base Rathmalana today (27 August 2025), following a comprehensive overhaul. This milestone marks the first ever completion of a Y-12 (IV) aircraft overhaul in the history of the SLAF, showcasing the capability of the AOW to undertake complex maintenance tasks locally. The handing-over ceremony was held under the patronage of the Director General Air Operations, Air Vice Marshal Deshapriya Silva who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
The SCL-3124 Y-12 (IV) aircraft originally manufactured on 23 October 2009 and inducted into the Sri Lanka Air Force on 05 December 2009 has successfully completed its overhaul process. The aircraft was handed over to the Aircraft Overhaul Wing (AOW) at SLAF Base Katunayake on 02 August 2022 for a Time Between Overhaul (TBO) extension on a landing basis after completing 6,399 landings. The overhaul was carried out under the Aircraft Overhaul Facility at SLAF Base Katunayake, with direct supervision from the Overhaul Supervision Team of M/S CATIC China.
The handover of the SCL-3124 Y-12(IV) Aircraft to operational service significantly enhances the capability of the No. 08 Light Transport Squadron, which undertakes vital roles including VVIP and VIP transportation, schedule flights, reconnaissance and disaster relief operations.
The overhaul was successfully guided under the leadership of the Director General Aeronautical Engineering, Air Vice Marshal Gihan Seneviratne and the Commanding Officer of AOW, Group Captain Malitha Kumarage, whose direction and commitment ensured the successful completion of the programme. The dedicated efforts of the Engineering Officers and the skilled technical crew of AOW were pivotal in executing the complex overhaul tasks to exacting standards, demonstrating professionalism, resilience and teamwork throughout the process. The successful completion of the programme was further facilitated through the technical support and supervision provided by CATIC, China, coordinated by Mr. Han Yiming, the CATIC Representative. It is noteworthy that the Aircraft Overhaul Wing will now be capable of performing the Y-12 (IV) aircraft overhauls independently.
The ceremony was further dignified by the presence of the Base Commander SLAF Base Katunayake, Air Commodore Asela Jayasekara; Director Aeronautical Engineering Personnel & Planning, Air Commodore Chandimal Hettiarachchi , Director Quality Assurance, Air Commodore MF Jansen and other Formation Commanding Officers including the Acting Commanding Officer No. 08 Squadron, Wing Commander GDMR Gamalakshage.
The SCL-3124 Y-12 (IV) aircraft originally manufactured on 23 October 2009 and inducted into the Sri Lanka Air Force on 05 December 2009 has successfully completed its overhaul process. The aircraft was handed over to the Aircraft Overhaul Wing (AOW) at SLAF Base Katunayake on 02 August 2022 for a Time Between Overhaul (TBO) extension on a landing basis after completing 6,399 landings. The overhaul was carried out under the Aircraft Overhaul Facility at SLAF Base Katunayake, with direct supervision from the Overhaul Supervision Team of M/S CATIC China.
The handover of the SCL-3124 Y-12(IV) Aircraft to operational service significantly enhances the capability of the No. 08 Light Transport Squadron, which undertakes vital roles including VVIP and VIP transportation, schedule flights, reconnaissance and disaster relief operations.
The overhaul was successfully guided under the leadership of the Director General Aeronautical Engineering, Air Vice Marshal Gihan Seneviratne and the Commanding Officer of AOW, Group Captain Malitha Kumarage, whose direction and commitment ensured the successful completion of the programme. The dedicated efforts of the Engineering Officers and the skilled technical crew of AOW were pivotal in executing the complex overhaul tasks to exacting standards, demonstrating professionalism, resilience and teamwork throughout the process. The successful completion of the programme was further facilitated through the technical support and supervision provided by CATIC, China, coordinated by Mr. Han Yiming, the CATIC Representative. It is noteworthy that the Aircraft Overhaul Wing will now be capable of performing the Y-12 (IV) aircraft overhauls independently.
The ceremony was further dignified by the presence of the Base Commander SLAF Base Katunayake, Air Commodore Asela Jayasekara; Director Aeronautical Engineering Personnel & Planning, Air Commodore Chandimal Hettiarachchi , Director Quality Assurance, Air Commodore MF Jansen and other Formation Commanding Officers including the Acting Commanding Officer No. 08 Squadron, Wing Commander GDMR Gamalakshage.
