Page 148 - MDSL Final

MARITIME DOCTRINE OF SRI LANKA
Limited sea control is usually the result of the drastic shift in the
operational or strategic situation when the initiative passes from one side
to the other. Then one side in the conflict has a high degree of freedom
to act while the other operates at high risk. The side that has lost the
initiative, however, still may be strong enough to inflict significant losses
upon the stronger side. Limited sea control is inherently transitory and,
hence, unstable. Limited sea control exists when only one type of ship
can operate without undue risks, while other types of ships operate at
high or unacceptable risks. When absolute control cannot be obtained,
one’s naval force should try to secure temporary control of limited sea
or ocean areas for conducting operations necessary to the successful
progress of the war. Such control can be exercised to the extent in
space and time that one’s contemplated operations may be planned
and executed without fear of interference from the weaker force. The
weaker side would carry out mostly minor actions but at considerable
risk.

In terms of risks for one’s forces, a distinction is made between maritime
superiority and maritime supremacy. Maritime superiority is a degree of
sea control of a given sea/ocean area and associated airspace that allows
one’s forces and commercial shipping/aircraft to operate at a low and
moderate risk. Maritime supremacy is a degree of control of a given sea/
ocean area and associated airspace that allows one’s force and
commercial shipping/aircraft to operate at very low or no risk at all.

At the initial stage of the Second World War, Japanese
Maritime Forces controlled the seas at Pacific theatre
and had the control of the war at land. Later once the
situation changed and Allied Forces gained the sea
control, the war efforts in the land also changed and
Japanese were defeated gradually in South East Asia and
the Pacific.

SLN achieved total sea control around the theatre
of battle during the final stages of the Humanitarian
Operation which directly affected the war at land to
defeat the terrorists.

130 To Nurture a Stable Environment at Sea