Page 60 - navstrat

NAVSTRAT-2030 NAVSTRAT-2030

Digital Transformation ● Cyber Warfare/ Information Warfare and Espionage. Foreign countries,
non-state actors and even individuals can engage in cyber warfare or espionage.
Digitalization of SLN began way back intending to be a paperless Navy. The IT branch has been The CSC to develop strategies, acquire technologies to detect, prevent and respond
established and strengthened for this purpose. Most of the systems including the E-pay, Integrated to all such threats, and educate all concerned. Due to the increment of users,
Logistics Management System (ILMS), Health Management System (HMS), Human Resource conducting regular training programmes to enhance cyber security awareness and
Information System (HRIS), Transport Management System (TMS), etc. were converted to online- ensure data integrity is essential for all naval personnel.
based systems. These cost-effective, efficient, and flexible systems have eased up the
administrative process enhancing collaboration across individuals, departments and institutions. Design, Research & Development

SLN needs to improve every aspect of functioning in the digitalized platform including personnel
assessments and naval examinations with the help of digital technologies and applied digitalization Design, R&D can play a vital role in improving SLN. Some of the fleet units, systems and
with a full-blown data-driven digital transformation strategy to seek sustainable growth in the equipment are aged or obsolete and their spares are no longer available or extremely expensive.
organization. The following focal points are essential to consider in this process in the next five This has compelled SLN to find alternative solutions to maintain the operability of the fleet and
years and beyond: other systems. Several key concerns in Design and R & D are as follows;

● Enhanced Connectivity and Communication. Ensure real-time communication, ● Solutions for Operational Matters. Since the Humanitarian Operations,
collaboration and seamless sharing of information within the Navy and with the different units involved in Design and the R & D sector in SLN have developed
outside. Data network to be upgraded with SLN’s network and with leased lines to home-grown solutions for operational issues. Modernization of Bush Master Gun
ensure 24 x 7 connectivity while keeping redundancies for safe and continuous mount, steering control systems, fire alarm systems, bilge alarm systems, UAVs,
operation in extreme emergencies. building automation systems, medical robots and control systems for ships and craft
have saved billions of money to flow from SLN. Naval engineers and technicians
● Data-driven AI Powered Decision Making. It is essential to enhance have done these cost-effective modernizations with limited resources and fund
coordination within SLN to achieve data-driven decision-making by collecting, allocations. This process can be continued further benefiting the country subject to
handling and analysing vast amounts of data. The AI integration, automation and receipt of sufficient provisions.
machine learning ease up and speed up the data analysis process essentially
required for decision-making. This Human-Machine Teaming by collaborating ● NSR Projects. The SLN R&D has engaged with several NSR projects
naval personnel with autonomous systems will optimize resource allocation and successfully. The outcomes of such projects including the fabricating of Medicine
will improve overall operational efficiency to achieve objectives. Infusion System for Thalassemia patients and Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants to
provide purified safe drinking water to the community since 2015 to prevent
● Development of IT Infrastructure. IT infrastructure development is essential Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) exhibit the best use of naval professionalism to the
to establish a fully digitalized environment. This includes sufficient data network nation while saving public money.
facility, computers and other user interfaces.

Invention of in-house solutions for most of the issues would be one of the best viable options for
SLN to maintain its operational status and reach sustainable growth by 2030 and beyond. To
● Online or Computer Based Assessments and Examinations. This will enhance achieve that, the following could be viable options in the Design and R&D sectors;
the transparency of examinations and will speed the assessment process in SLN.

● Collaboration with Sister Services and Military Institutions. Foster
Cyber Security collaboration with military, academic and research institutions to assist stay abreast
of emerging technologies and leverage research for naval applications. The KDU,
To maintain operational integrity and protect sensitive information, cyber security has become one College of Military Engineering and Technology Sri Lanka (CMETSL), Centre for
of the prime concerns of the Navy with ever-increasing dependence on digital technologies as a Defence Research and Development, R&D units of SLA and SLAF are possible
result of digital transformation.
entities to collaborate to pursue improvement in defence R&D.
● Cyber Security Cell. SLN Cyber Security Cell (CSC) is responsible for
establishing a dedicated cyber security framework to protect critical naval ● Local and International Collaborations. It is possible to improve this sector
through collaboration and cooperation with local and international, government and
infrastructures including communication and data networks, command and control non-government institutions including universities, technical forums, associations,
systems, online administrative and management systems, weapon systems and
classified information from cyber threats. etc. in the form of donations, knowledge and assets sharing.

46 47