Page 108 - MDSL Final

MARITIME DOCTRINE OF SRI LANKA
Sustainability

When a nation operates in forward areas at the end of long supply lines
without a significant land – based supply structure, it needs the ability to
re-supply at sea. Consequently, naval forces carry their own ammunition,
spares, and consumables as well as support and repair facilities for use
early in a crisis or throughout a protracted conflict. This self-sustainability
provides the Navy to create an environment that will bring success. The
ships are designed to travel significant distances without replenishment.
Therefore, sustainability is a critical element that provides us effective
fighting power. It is enabled by combining;

• Logistics.
• Personnel and administrative force structures.
• Training and equipment.
• Infrastructure.
• Communications and information management.

Readiness

To be effective instruments of power, the naval forces must be available
and credible not just when crises occur, but daily wherever one’s
presence manifests and wherever potential adversaries must perceive
one’s firm commitment to defend our interests. The naval forces have
been consistently made to be readily available to defend one’s vital
interests. Naval forces at first used to be deployed to protect SLOC from
adversaries. Even today, the national economic interests are tied directly
with sea-based commerce. The readiness of naval forces promote
regional stability and safeguard the flow of resources amongst trading
partners, helping preserve one’s national well-being. The SLN holds
forces at varying states of readiness consistent with the assessed risks
and threats. Some of the readiness postures are;
• Maintain balance force structure along with available
resources to meet any contingency.

90 To Nurture a Stable Environment at Sea