Page 61 - MDSL Final

CONCEPTS OF WAR
Danger

The means of war is force, applied in the form of organised violence
and its immediate result is bloodshed, destruction and suffering. Since,
violence is present, it is embedded with fear and it has significant impact
on the conduct of war. Fear resulted to eliminate the will. Therefore,
leaders must foster courage to overcome fear. Leaders must study and

understand fear and be prepared to counter it. Leaders should develop
cohesion, teamwork and the self-confidence of individuals to conquer
fear.
25
‘Courage is not the absence of fear; rather, it is the
strength to overcome fear.’

Concept on Use of Force

Destruction and Attrition

Physically destroying of enemy’s war fighting capabilities such as their
military hardware, troops, command and control facilities mostly by
using military force is termed as destruction. Gradual but, steadily
destruction of enemy’s war fighting capabilities in order to degrade
the war-waging ability is termed as attrition. In the context of maritime
warfare, naval forces are determined to achieve both destruction and
attrition by applying their multi-dimensional naval capabilities. 26

The destruction of ten LTTE logistics ships (floating
warehouses) by SLN in 2006/2007 which were stationed
in high seas loaded with warlike materiel, effectively cut
off the supply of arms and ammunitions for the fighting
cadres on land was a significant factor in degrading the
war waging capability of the adversary and finally ultimate
defeat in 2009.

To Nurture a Stable Environment at Sea 43