- Program extends the operational life of the Sri Lanka Air Force’s active Kfir fleet, marking a historic milestone for Israel’s iconic domestically developed fighter aircraft
TEL AVIV – Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), a world-class aerospace and defense leader, has completed the upgrade and modernization program for the Sri Lanka Air Force’s existing Kfir fighter aircraft fleet, marked today by the successful first flight of the upgraded aircraft.
The program includes extensive avionics modernization, mission systems upgrades, structural refurbishment, and renewed maintenance capabilities designed to significantly extend the Kfir’s operational life and improve its mission readiness. The project marks a significant milestone in the continued operational evolution of the Kfir, one of Israel’s most iconic domestically developed fighter aircraft programs.
The modernization program centered on the integration of advanced avionics and mission systems, including a modern glass cockpit configuration designed to enhance situational awareness, navigation and communication capabilities, precision weapon deployment, mission planning and debriefing functions. These upgrades reduce pilot workload, improve mission effectiveness and provide a foundation for future operational growth.
Boaz Levy, Chairman of IAI: “The Kfir represents a significant chapter in Israel’s aerospace industry and reflects the technological and engineering capabilities that have characterized IAI for decades. 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. This program highlights IAI’s ability to continuously innovate while maximizing the value and operational effectiveness of existing defense assets.”
Moshe Levy, CEO of IAI: “This modernization program reflects IAI’s long-standing commitment to supporting its customers throughout the full lifecycle of their aircraft fleets. Seeing the Kfir continue to fly operationally for more than 50 years after its development is a testament to engineering excellence and to IAI’s long-standing ability to modernize and extend the life of advanced combat aircraft. We are proud to support the Sri Lanka Air Force through this program and to open a new operational chapter for the world’s active Kfir fleets.”
Yaacov Berkovitz, EVP and GM of IAI Aviation Group: “The Kfir holds a unique place in the history of Israeli aviation as one of the most iconic fighter aircraft ever developed and manufactured in Israel. This modernization program combines decades of operational and engineering experience with advanced upgrade capabilities that enable legacy platforms to remain relevant in today’s operational environment. For us, this project is both a technological achievement and a meaningful milestone in the continued operational story of the Kfir platform.”
Developed and manufactured in Israel in the 1970s, the Kfir served as a central fighter aircraft in the Israeli Air Force for years and continues to operate today in several air forces and operational frameworks worldwide, including Sri Lanka, Colombia, and the U.S.-based company ATAC, which operates the aircraft as an adversary training platform – a testament to the platform’s robust design, operational effectiveness, and long-term adaptability.
The Sri Lanka modernization effort is another example of IAI’s ongoing expertise in aircraft modernization and life-extension programs, enabling legacy combat platforms to remain operationally relevant through the integration of advanced technologies and renewed structural capabilities.
