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“Deterrence through Detection” UNCLASSIFIED

3. Clearly, Sri Lanka as a state lacks an ambitious maritime orientation, which is
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very much evident in the existing inward heavy security outlook . However, the island’s
prosperity, progress and security is interwoven with the stability of the international
system, economies of scales and net external trade. A focus into our trade statistics
would illuminate the trade dependency ratio of this island nation, and appraising the
necessity of securing our Sea Lines of Communications (SLOCs) are fundamental to the
survival as a sovereign state.

4. Meanwhile, it is essential that we astutely comprehend what is central to the

‘NAVSTRAT-2030’ document. In this regard, none aggression, deterrence and self-
preservation are integral and are at the core of our envisioned force structure and
postures. The SLN aspires for “a balanced Navy with credible defence and deterrence”. A
pragmatic and viable option in this pursuit would be the inclusion and integration of an
organic air or an unmanned vehicle component or a combination of both for optimum
results. Indeed, there is enough justification and rationale for this ambitious endevour
under the ‘Focal Areas of Interests’ mentioned at Chapter 11, of the NAVSTRAT-2030,
which highlights the need for ‘Force Multipliers’. SLN is determined at generating future
readiness and realization of naval aviation through jointness is an enduring vision.

5. The actualization of this vision would be a watershed moment in the

organization’s history of 74 years and our security outlook as a sovereign state.
However, we should be aware of the impending competition and conflict that this path
would draw from interested entities who may perceive it as an existential threat. It shall
be our responsibility to formulate a viable, feasible and acceptable solution(s)
guaranteeing unity of effort, cooperation and continued collaboration towards common
ends.

Strategic Evaluation of the Maritime Environment

6. Sovereignty means nothing if not defended and we are well aware that our
motherland has a critical role in championing an international rules-based order to safe
guard global commons and governance. We are believers of the norm that by safe
guarding our interests and interests of small states alike, serves not only a few but the
world at large.

7. Sri Lanka is a coastal island state. Some also may view as a small island

developing state. However, being an island nation void of a hinterland there is no space
for strategic depth. Sri Lanka has a coastline of 1,340km approximately and our coastal
region comprises 24% of land extent and accommodates 25% of total population. The
EEZ is 08 times the land area, whilst the SAR is approximately 27 times larger. Our
strategic calculus is unique, where geography and more precisely location has a

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According to Dr. Clark G. Reynold’s Naval Topology, navies of ‘Maritime Nations’ are the principal
strategic arm for defence. In contrast, for continental powers, navies defensive role is in support of land
forces.

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UNCLASSIFIED “Deterrence through Detection”