The Sri Lankan Air Force announced on Thursday that the first upgraded 'Kfir' fighter jet, refurbished by Israel Aerospace Industries, took off for a successful maiden flight in the presence of local officials.
Sri Lanka bought 12 Kfirs in 1996 and used them against the Tamil rebels. It is now upgrading the five that remain under a $50 million deal with IAI. The planes received an advanced cockpit, a new mission computer, and additional avionics improvements.
This comes decades after the Lavi, Israel's fourth-generation fighter jet, was canceled, after Kfir production ended long ago, and after the Israeli Air Force retired the fighter jet in the mid-1990s.
But the Israeli-made jet is still flying around the world and is expected to remain in the air well past its 60th year, serving as a key aircraft in several air forces.
Colombia, US still operate Kfir squadrons
The Colombian Air Force also still operates a Kfir squadron it bought from Israel Aerospace Industries about 15 years ago, after a comprehensive upgrade that included the installation of an advanced Israeli radar, air-to-air refueling capability, and Rafael-made weapons.
Colombia also bought a Boeing 767 that Israel Aerospace Industries converted into a refueling aircraft. However, the country has already ordered new Saab Gripen jets from Sweden and will begin grounding the Kfir next year. Ecuador also bought a Kfir squadron, but has already retired the aircraft.
Six Kfirs are also still flying with the US company ATAC, which provides aggressor services. In the past, the US Navy operated 24 such aircraft, which were designated F-21, but today it leases these services from private companies. Over the years, Israel Aerospace Industries produced 220 Kfir aircraft.