Page 11 - jmaos_book_new

“Deterrence through Detection” UNCLASSIFIED

16. Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing by foreign vessels in our

maritime zones is an enduring challenge. There is an exponential presence of foreign
fishing vessels in our waters. The exploitation and exhaustion of our marine resources is
a serious threat to the livelihoods, marine eco-systems and food security of the island.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s proximity to the subcontinent is being exploited for illicit
activities creating a paradox of threats and challenges to national security. Further, our
sea lanes and shores are being used for narcotics trafficking emanating from the
Arabian Sea. There are surmounting evidences into Sri Lankan, Bay of Bengal and
Maldivian Maritime zones being exploited for illicit transhipments.

17. Meanwhile, our most recent experiences underscore the very presence of covert
and proxy measures at diluting Sri Lanka’s significance athwart global shipping lanes.
This is a very imminent threat that may even present itself under the façade of
‘environmental conservationism’. Our claims to delimitation of the continental shelf
persists and presents once actualized a reservoir of opportunities in our ‘Blue
Economic’ aspirations.

18. The ‘Nord Stream’ gas pipeline explosions in 2022, and the more recent severing

th
of two undersea communication cables (C-Lion 1) on 19 November 2024 in the Baltic
Sea makes evident the need at ensuring safety and security of critical maritime
infrastructure. The advent of unmanned and autonomous aerial, surface and subsurface
vehicles have made this even more arduous. Failure to appraise such possibilities shall
be catastrophic for Sri Lanka given her inherent vulnerabilities.

19. Thus, our approach to these volatile strategic realities, future contexts and

persisting challenges in the maritime domain have to be dealt with innovative,
pragmatic and collective efforts. Surely, there are many observables and non-
observables in the maritime frontier and we should create the ways, means and effects
in appraising and responding to such during our watch.

Purpose

20. This is a declarative strategy . The goal is to provide a coherent blueprint, a
5
capstone document for Joint Maritime Air Operations to bridge the gap between the
realities of today and the desired future. Strategic direction is essential to inspire
doctrinal guidance for a realistic judgment of application of available and desired
capabilities. Our inherent limitations prompt us to make compromises in pursuit of
seamless maritime air operations to create desired effects in the maritime domain.

5
Approach in which the desired outcomes or goals are specified, without detailing the exact steps or
processes required to achieve those outcomes. In essence, it focuses on defining what should be done (the
goals) rather than how to do it (the specific procedures). Intention is to foster greater flexibility,
adaptability and scalability.

6

UNCLASSIFIED “Deterrence through Detection”