Armoured Troops after 12 Years Begin Field Firing Training Sessions

A group of 15 Officers & 130 Other Ranks who followed the Armoured Young Officers’ Course, Professional Armoured Fighting Vehicle Gunner Operator Course and the Basic Gunner Operator Course during the years 2020 and 2021 after absence of more than 12 years had the chance of resuming residential field firing sessions for two days (21-22 September) at Sri Lanka Air Force field firing range in Kalpitiya.

The resumption of field firing sessions using Russian-manufactured infantry fighting vehicle, BMP MK 11 and two eight-wheeled BTR-80 Advanced Armoured Personnel Carrier (AAPC) guns commenced under the close supervision of Brigadier Anil Peiris, Commander, Armoured Brigade and the Commandant, Armoured Corps Training Centre on the directions of the Colonel Commandant of the Sri Lanka Armored Corps (SLAC) and Commandant OCDS Buttala, Major General Swarna Bothota.

The resumption of practical training sessions, meant for all-time preparedness coincides with the 'Way Forward Strategy-2020-2025' policy document for the Army, proposed by General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army.