No. 10 "Fighter" Squadron is a squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force. It currently operates the IAI Kfir from SLAF Katunayake. The squadron is tasked with providing offensive support for ground & maritime (anti-shipping) operations, air interdiction and interception. It specializes in high altitude precision ground attacks.
History The squadron was formed on January 5, 1996 at the SLAF Katunayake with six IAI Kfir multi-role fighter jets acquired from Israel, with US State Department approval. These included five C2 types and a TC.2 type trainer. At its formation the squadron had six pilots, four engineers and 70 technicians along with the six aircraft. In 2000, the squadron received eight more Kfirs that included C7 types and another trainer.
On November 2, 2007 the Sri Lankan Air Force claimed that aircraft from the squadron killed the LTTE’s Political Wing Leader S.P. Thamilselvan and a group of LTTE cadres in an air raid. During the last phase of the war it maintained units at SLAF China Bay.
In March 2009, the squadron was presented with the President’s Colours.Presentation of President's Colours to SLAF Formations
By 2017 only one Kfir was serviceable out of 7 while Mig 23 and Mig 27 of the No. 12 Squadron grounded in the same year.
In 2021 government approved a US$49 million deal with Israel Aerospace Industries to update the remaining five Kfirs to Block 60 standard. In June 2026, the first upgraded Kfir was inducted into service, incorporating 4+ generation capabilities in accordance with the C12 standard. https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/SLAF-conducts-first-test-flight-of-upgraded-Kfir-C12-fighter-aircraft/108-342643
Aircraft operated
Year of introduction IAI Kfir C2 - 1996 IAI Kfir TC2 - 1996 IAI Kfir C7 - 2000 IAI kfir C12 - 2026
Notable members Monath Perera
References
External links Sri Lanka Air Force Base Katunayake scramble.nl Kfir, the dare-devil air monster Men who killed Thamilselvam speak