Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia explore strengthening air defence ties
February 15, 2026 04:53 pm
Senior defence officials of Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia have discussed future cooperation in air defence and capability development.
The Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd.) met with Lt. Gen. Mazyad bin Sulaiman Al-Amro, the Commander of the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces, to explore avenues for enhanced military collaboration. The high level meeting was held at the Ministry of Defence in Riyadh on the side-lines of the Deputy Minister’s official visit to the World Defence Show (WDS) 2026, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.
During the meeting, the Sri Lankan delegation expressed gratitude for Saudi Arabia’s support during Cyclone Ditwah, describing it as a testament to the enduring friendship between the two nations.
Key discussion points included facilitating experience sharing through staff talks and reciprocal participation in defence forums. The Sri Lankan delegation also requested specialized training opportunities for its personnel within Saudi Arabia to bolster its air defence capabilities.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation in air defence and expanding professional military collaboration between the two countries.
