Page 252 - MDSL Final

MARITIME DOCTRINE OF SRI LANKA
and limitations, operational environmental restrictions and deployment
limitations. This will provide naval planners for how best it can be used
for collaborative approach and develop Concept of Operation (CONOP).

Consideration for the use of modern assets and advance technology
for aerial surveillance is an important factor. The modern sensors such
as Electro Optical and Infra-red cameras, Side-looking airborne radar,
search radar, AIS transponder, Direction Finder, hyper spectral scanners,
microwave radio meters, VMS and new communication equipment
with data links will facilitate maritime surveillance in many aspects and
provide important information for the protection of all kinds of threats
at sea. Thus, it is important to know the capabilities of these platforms
in order to analyse and decide what aspects to be looked into when
considering unique requirement.

In the modern concept, use of UAV is a smart machine use for aerial
reconnaissance. This reduces the huge cost involvement for the
surveillance operations and also increases the flexibility of operations.
At the beginning it is important to have a conceptual transformation
in order to instil the positive approach and subsequently establish a
systematic way of developing and gradually reaching the desired level
for aerial surveillance.

Surveillance activities based on land sensors are limited by their coverage
due to line of sight conditions and equipment capability. The airborne
AIS systems are introduced to cater to this peculiar limitation and a
Maritime Patrol Aircraft fitted with an airborne AIS and AIS software
application can effectively carryout a surveillance mission covering a
large sea area of interest.

The importance of aerial surveillance in maritime enforcement need to
be identified and it is required to fill the gap with the use of appropriate
mechanism with the balance and progressive development. Therefore,
a gradual process with laid down policies and clear road map for
establishing aerial surveillance as a powerful means of gathering vital
information will strengthen the maritime enforcement.

232 To Nurture a Stable Environment at Sea