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Sri Lanka Navy Journal 79
Many regional Navies have naval aviation as a force multiplier. However, forming
of a Naval Air Wing is not that easy as it looks on write-ups on paper. It requires intricate
and meticulous planning, large amount of money to acquire Helicopters and Aircraft,
train naval aviators and aircraft technicians, building of infrastructure essential for Naval
Aviation and all other routine expenses to function it effectively and efficiently. It is also
possible to initially go for a joint venture with SLAF and then slowly absorb it fully into
the SLN as far as crew training and experience of functioning such will have been acquired
by then to an appreciable level. It is worthy to note that all our OPVs and the yet to come
have helidecks which are hardly made use of. Such space on a ship is useless if it is not
used for the very purpose it exists.

Another alternative is to go for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) which will help
ISR capabilities with greater stealth and lesser costs and labour. The Chinese PLA Navy,
Pakistan Navy, the US, Australian and Indonesian navies and many other navies currently
use this technology. As the SLAF has been using this technology for a considerable period,
the SLN may get their assistance in establishing their one. There are efforts to build home
grown UAV technologies by many: government, private and academic institutions in Sri
Lanka. The coastal lines are prone to smuggling and narcotics, especially in the West and
North West coasts of Sri Lanka where there is high intensity of fishing activities, it is very
effective to use UAVs to spot the culprits without being seen or noticed by them that they
are being watched, especially at night. Further UAV’s can mount persistent surveillance
at a fraction of the cost of employing a number of vessels to cover the given area (cost
effective – budget friendly). The ability to transmit real time visuals to the command
centres will enhance situation awareness and naval intelligence as well. Can also be used
to monitor, guide SLN/CG to intercept and gather evidence for court proceedings on
IUU fishing by Indian / foreign fisherman etc…

Submarines - Submarines are extreme war machines. The use of submarines though seem
to be easy and very utilitarian at times of conventional war or to leverage naval power
even during peace time it is not pragmatic or militarily prudent to think of such for SLN
in the foreseeable future. Apart from the daunting costs, the training and ability to rescue
if a submarine is in distress and above all the utility and relevance in the present context
is against the national requirement and to the SLN’s ability to counter the public outcry
opposing such enterprise is untenable. Thus it is hopeless and unworthy to think of such at
this juncture. Submarines will end up being white elephants – due to enormous servicing
and operational costs. Sri Lanka cannot afford to make ill-advised acquisitions which will
have little operational outcomes and very low operational readiness and availabilities.
Only concern can be to acquire more sonar and underwater detection capabilities for
OPVs so as to keep our waters safe from intruders and maintain the maritime legal order
under the UNCLOS III.

Naval Infantry - Coastal defence has been another rather different emphasis in the
development of thinking about maritime operations and it has tended to be of particular
interest to weaker and smaller navies. Even though the naval infantry is not considered
here as a dimension in naval force structure, it is imperative to note that with the advent