No. 9 Squadron SLAF

No. 9 Attack Helicopter Squadron
Mi-24V of No. 9 Attack Helicopter Squadron SLAF
Active	November 1995 - to present day
Branch	Sri Lanka Air Force
Role	Close Air Support
Station	SLAF Hingurakgoda
Equipment	Mil Mi-24, Mil Mi-35, Mil Mi-17Sh
Engagements	Sri Lankan Civil War
Commanders
Notable commanders	Group Captain Jagath Rodrigo- the first Commanding Officer, Wing Commander Thilina Kaluarachchi - First Instructor Pilot

Group Captain Jagath Rodrigo- the first Commanding Officer,

No. 9 "Attack Helicopter" Squadron is a squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force. It currently operates the air force's fleet of Attack Helicopter of Mil Mi-24s, Mil Mi-35s and Mi-17Sh s from SLAF Hingurakgoda for Close Air Support. The squadron is tasked with close air support/battlefield air interdiction, air interdiction, maritime air operations, armed escort missions and air defence operations.

In March 2009, the squadron was presented with the President’s Colours.

The squadron was formed on November 24, 1995 at the SLAF Base Hingurakgoda with three leased Mil Mi-24 attack helicopters with . At its formation the squadron had five pilots, 26 engineering crew. In 1996 the leased aircraft were returned and new ones were bought. In 2000 Mi-35Ps were added to the fleet. The Squadron currently operates a mix of Mi-24/-35P and Mi-24V/-35 versions. They have recently been upgraded with modern Israeli FLIR and electronic warfare systems. Five were upgraded to intercept aircraft by adding radar, fully functional helmet mounted target tracking systems, and AAMs. Seven Mi-24 List of Sri Lanka Air Force aircraft losses during the Sri Lankan Civil War, have been destroyed to LTTE MANPADs& anti aircraft guns, and another two lost in attacks on airbases, with one heavily damaged but later returned to service.

In March 2009, the squadron was presented with the President’s Colours.

Year of introduction

Officer Commanding Maintenance