Are you passionate about aviation and eager to defend the skies of your motherland? The SriLanka Air Force (SLAF) has officially announced its major recruitment drive for the year 2026. Applications are now being called from citizens of SriLanka (both male and female) for regular and volunteer forces.
Whether you aspire to become a high-flying pilot, a specialized engineer, or a dedicated ground combat officer, SLAF offers a highly disciplined, rewarding, and prestigious career path.
Available Vacancies & Key Branches
The recruitment is open for multiple entries, including Executive Officers and Ground Trades. The official deadline to submit applications is May 31, 2026.
1. Commissioned Officer Ranks (Male & Female)
Officer Cadet / Lady Officer Cadet:
General Duties Pilot (Flying Branch)
Operations Air (Air Traffic Control, Air Defence)
Aeronautical Engineering (Airframes, Aero Engines)
Electronic Engineering
Logistics (Supply Chain & Equipment)
Administrative & Regiment (Ground Combat & Base Security)
Student Officer / Lady Student Officer:
Specialized direct entry for graduates in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Qualified Dental Officers.
2. Non-Commissioned Ranks (Airmen & Airwomen)
Opportunities are available across technical, non-technical, and medical trades:
Airframe / Engine Technician
Air Communicator (Radio/Radar Operations)
Fire Fighter
Operations Ground (Regiment/Infantry)
Security & Air Force Police
Dog Handler
Basic Eligibility Criteria
1. For Officer Cadet Entries
Age Limit: Must be between 18 and 22 years of age by the closing date (Age limit varies up to 26/28 years for specialized Student Officer graduate entries).
Educational Qualifications:
Passed the G.C.E. O/L Examination in one sitting with credit passes for Mother Tongue (Sinhala/Tamil), Mathematics, English, and Science.
AND Passed all 03 subjects in the G.C.E. A/L Examination in one sitting (Physics, Combined Mathematics, or Tech streams are highly preferred for engineering and pilot roles).
2. For Airmen & Airwomen Entries
Age Limit: Must be between 18 and 23 years of age.
Educational Qualifications: Passed the G.C.E. O/L Examination with at least 06 subjects including Mother Tongue and Mathematics in not more than two sittings. Additional vocational or NVQ qualifications are an added advantage for technical trades.
3. Physical Standards
Height (Male): Minimum 5 feet 6 inches (5′ 6″) – 5′ 4″ for certain technical trades.
Height (Female): Minimum 5 feet 4 inches (5′ 4″) – 5′ 2″ for certain technical trades.
Weight: Must comply with the standard SLAF Body Mass Index (BMI) chart.
Vision: 6/6 uncorrected vision is mandatory for General Duties Pilot candidates.
Selection & Training Process
Document Verification: Initial screening of basic educational and birth certificates.
Physical Efficiency Test: Assessment of stamina, strength, and endurance.
Aptitude & Written Exam: Evaluating General Knowledge, English Language, and Intelligence Quotient (IQ).
Interview Panels: Preliminary and final interview boards.
Medical Examination: Comprehensive military medical checkup.
Basic Training: Selected candidates will undergo rigorous combat and professional training at the SLAF Combat Training School (Diyatalawa) or SLAF Academy (Chinakaly/Trincomalee).
How to Apply Online
To ensure a smooth application process, follow these official steps before the closing date:
Visit the official SriLanka Air Force careers portal: airforce.lk/joinus
Carefully read the detailed gazette qualifications for your preferred branch.
Fill out the digital application form accurately with your personal, physical, and academic details.
Upload scanned copies of your NIC, Birth Certificate, and G.C.E. O/L & A/L certificates.
Submit the form and keep a printed copy of the registration slip for your records.
