Page 86 - MDSL Final

MARITIME DOCTRINE OF SRI LANKA

CHAPTER 6

MARITIME FIGHTING POWER

Maritime fighting power and war fighting specialty – both allow our
credibility and utility. When required, we are called upon to protect our
country from internal and external aggression.

Naval forces have marvellous military power within them. It is this
military power that enables them to perform desired roles spanning the
entire spectrum of conflict. For this, it is essential that the SLN maintains
the required level of combat power and state of readiness at all times.
Combat power is a Navy’s effectiveness in any military application. It
is a combination of both tangible and intangible factors. If ships/craft,
weapons and high-tech equipment are the hardware by which a navy
performs its roles, the personnel behind the machines provide the
energy that drives this hardware, while sound doctrines, operating
philosophies and practices provide the structure that develops this
potential. Understanding the cultural and historical features of a
situation and incorporating that into planning and training, will give us
key insights into how we can best apply fighting power.

Maritime fighting power defines our ability to fight and achieve success
in maritime operations. It is made up of an essential mix of three inter-
related components as follows:
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• Conceptual component (the thought process).
• Moral component (the ability to get people to fight).
• Physical component (the means to fight).

68 To Nurture a Stable Environment at Sea