Page 164 - MDSL Final

CONCEPTS AND APPLICATION OF MARITIME POWER
Full range of operations in which a nation’s naval forces may be
involved is vast, ranging from high intensity war fighting at one end to
humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations at the other end.
This broad continuum of operations can be broken down into distinct
roles, each demanding a specific approach to the conduct of operations.
Accordingly, the three main roles envisaged for the SLN are; Military,
Diplomatic and Constabulary.

The Military Role

The essence of all navies is their military character. In fact, the main
role is to ensure that no hostile maritime power degrades their national
security and interests. The Navy’s military role is characterised by the
threat or use of force at and from the sea. This includes application of
maritime power in both, offensive operations against enemy forces,
territory and trade, and defensive operations to protect our own
forces, territory and trade. The military role is performed through the
accomplishment of specific military objectives, missions and tasks.

Military Role from the Sea

Maritime Mobility (Sealift)

The simplest means of moving forces in the maritime environment is
sealift. This involves embarking land forces from a port or harbour and
landing them in another port or harbour. The limitation of this type of
operation is that developed port facilities are required at both the point
of departure and arrival, and because the movement is not tactical, the
troops are likely to require a significant period of time to prepare for
the operations after landing. In a benign environment this task can be
undertaken by charted or contracted civilian sealift ship, rather than
using landing ships/craft to conduct military sealift operations. However,
in threat environment landing ships/craft will be the preferred option.

To Nurture a Stable Environment at Sea 145