Page 26 - MDSL Final

MARITIME DOCTRINE OF SRI LANKA
activity. Such doctrine provides a framework to understand the military
instrument and a basis for its practical application. The lower levels of
doctrine, which are broader, describe the practices and procedures for
that practical application, some of which are also defined by the theatre
in which they apply.

Within Strategic, Operational and Tactical levels, doctrine can be further
subdivided as follows: 12

• Functional Doctrine. It describes a joint approach and
is set at the operational level. Supporting publications
provide additional details for each area of functional
doctrine.
• Thematic Doctrine. Thematic doctrine operationalises
functional doctrine within a specific context or for a
particular contingency.
• Environmental Doctrine. Environmental doctrine
draws on functional and thematic doctrine that is specific
to the maritime, land, air, space, information (including
cyberspace) and electromagnetic environments.

Maritime Power, Strategy and Doctrine

Maritime power is the ability of a nation to use the seas to safeguard and
progress its national interests. As such, it is a pillar of national security
policy and is a key enabler in the formulation and implementation of
viable national and military strategies.

Maritime strategy is the plan by which the maritime power of a state
is developed and used for attaining the national objectives, within the
sphere of the national strategy.

Maritime Doctrine offers the conceptual framework for formulating
such a plan or strategy, pursuing to develop and employ maritime power
in pursuit of national security objectives and interests.

‘Maritime’ is an all-encompassing word, including everything that is
associated to the seas. The Maritime Doctrine of Sri Lanka, conversely,
deals mainly with the concepts and principles of employment of Sri
Lanka’s naval power.

8 To Nurture a Stable Environment at Sea