Page 55 - sayurusara 39 for web
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Sayurusara 2019 July 55
f. Versatility in usage; transportation, deployment of troops, augmenting surface action, fisheries
protection, Naval SAR, HA/DR operations etc…
g. Bird’s eye view of situations can make decision makers’ job with regard to command and control
much easier.
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 initiallygoforajointventurewithSLAFandthenslowlyabsorbitfullyintotheSLN.
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 Navy and many other navies currently use thistechnology.
The coastal lines are prone to smuggling and illicit activities especially along the West, North West, North
and Eastern 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. UAVs can also be
used to monitor, guide SLN/CG to intercept and gather evidence for court proceedings on IUU fishing by
Indian / foreign fishermenetc…
It is further proposed that an air strip (Runway) be constructed at SLNS Gotabhaya which is
situated on a soft and flat strategic location of maritime importance where there are no high grounds/
constructions or large human settlements. It can be used as a Naval Air Station for future Naval Aviation
purposes effectively. The SLN may appoint a suitable board to study the matter carefully and prudently
with a view of restarting the NAU. If the LTTE could do such decades before whilst hiding in the jungles
there can’t be any impediment for such with a well organised force like SLN. Moreover, the deck and hangar
spaces of the 09 OPVs in SLN fleet (including the 2 new acquisitions) will be wasted for which enormous
amounts of public money has been paid for which we are accountable and answerable as well.
Admiral HCAC Tissera
Capt MRJK Bandara Capt SP Kathriarachchi Cdr HRD De Zoysa Cdr PSIP Jayathilake
fuys isxy, mßj¾;kh B,`. l,dmfhka n,dfmdfrd;a;= jkak
f. Versatility in usage; transportation, deployment of troops, augmenting surface action, fisheries
protection, Naval SAR, HA/DR operations etc…
g. Bird’s eye view of situations can make decision makers’ job with regard to command and control
much easier.
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 initiallygoforajointventurewithSLAFandthenslowlyabsorbitfullyintotheSLN.
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 Navy and many other navies currently use thistechnology.
The coastal lines are prone to smuggling and illicit activities especially along the West, North West, North
and Eastern 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. UAVs can also be
used to monitor, guide SLN/CG to intercept and gather evidence for court proceedings on IUU fishing by
Indian / foreign fishermenetc…
It is further proposed that an air strip (Runway) be constructed at SLNS Gotabhaya which is
situated on a soft and flat strategic location of maritime importance where there are no high grounds/
constructions or large human settlements. It can be used as a Naval Air Station for future Naval Aviation
purposes effectively. The SLN may appoint a suitable board to study the matter carefully and prudently
with a view of restarting the NAU. If the LTTE could do such decades before whilst hiding in the jungles
there can’t be any impediment for such with a well organised force like SLN. Moreover, the deck and hangar
spaces of the 09 OPVs in SLN fleet (including the 2 new acquisitions) will be wasted for which enormous
amounts of public money has been paid for which we are accountable and answerable as well.
Admiral HCAC Tissera
Capt MRJK Bandara Capt SP Kathriarachchi Cdr HRD De Zoysa Cdr PSIP Jayathilake
fuys isxy, mßj¾;kh B,`. l,dmfhka n,dfmdfrd;a;= jkak
