Page 80 - navstrat

NAVSTRAT-2030 NAVSTRAT-2030

CHAPTER 11 ● Pillars of SLN’s Strategy. Security and Safety, Professionally Competent and
Motivated Personnel, Economic Development, Environmental Sustainability,
FORCE STRUCTURE AND RIGHTSIZING International Cooperation, Capacity Building, Technology Integration, Public
Awareness and Legal and Regulatory Framework.
This section delves into the strategic justification for the ongoing improvement and reinforcement
of a balanced Navy and Coast Guard, with a primary emphasis on their roles extending beyond Understanding the Strategic Requirement
conventional naval functions. Some maritime/naval strategies are of grand scale such as power Sri Lanka essentially needs the stability of the international system for the realization and
projection, expeditionary forces or on super power competitions. Strategies also exist to find the advancement of her interests. Indeed, the island nation has limited trading partners and very low
right-fit-force purpose, especially when the maritime forces are smaller in comparison to land diversity of exports. Sri Lanka has a small domestic market, lacks industrial capacity and limited
forces of an island nation and in particular underpinned by the realities of the strategic with resources. Further, the island’s consumptions are imported heavy resulting in a net loss of
circumstances and the economic outlook. Though there are no perceived or significant military reserves. The main sources of net income are susceptible for external shocks where investing in
aggressions or threats from the sea to Sri Lanka, there is a high probability of our waters being securing SLOCs and good order at sea is important. The ‘MV X-Press Pearl’ incident alone
exploited and exhausted for unjust ends. The residual effects from the ongoing tense situation in justifies the consequences in failing to be proactive and pragmatic in the island’s maritime
the Arabian Gulf and recent maritime incidents in proximity to the sea lanes of the Indian orientations. In addition, a flawed path of fiscal and monetary decisions in the past has led to a
subcontinent demand much attention. Certainly, Sri Lanka lacks an ambitious maritime orientation worrying state of external debt and debt servicing obligations further exacerbating the negative
which is very much visible in the existing inward heavy security outlook. However, our prosperity economic outlook. However, the island’s leadership has expressed intent in a relentless pursuit for
lies with the stability of the international system, economies of scales and net external trade. sustained economic development.
Hence, this Chapter contemplates how to manage a balanced and effective fleet in the pursuit of
our national interests and collective challenges as a credible maritime stakeholder. In this backdrop, it is imperative that we are aware of the associated pitfalls of inaccurate

interpretation of policy guidance and flawed assumptions. The island’s fiscal situation has resulted
in more budgetary constraints in the pursuit of striking a balance between providing for public
Why Need a Balanced Navy and Coast Guard? goods and defence expenditure. The Navy’s proportion of the national budget for 2024 amounts
to Rs. 81.3 billion. Meanwhile, our recurrent to capital expenditure as a percentage on an average
In a period marked by shifting security challenges, maritime forces assume a crucial role in is approximately 85% to 15%. Hence, any wish list should have to be an interplay within these
safeguarding and promoting a state’s national interests. Although naval capabilities are monetary limits. This context is to remain the status quo during the next few years. However,
traditionally linked to maritime security, the imperative of maintaining a Navy with a balanced neglect of our maritime orientation would be catastrophic given the evolving geo-strategic
fleet and a dedicated Coast Guard with the assessment of new and emerging maritime threats in situation, persisting regional challenges and our collective aspirations. Securing freedom of
today’s ever-evolving global dynamics is a timely requirement. navigation, rule of law, good order, maritime security, law enforcement, safety of critical
infrastructure, search and rescue and crisis response shall remain enduring challenges. Hence, the
This narrative, conceptualization emanates from a conscious effort made from an understanding SLN and SLCG have a strategic choice to make; three options are apparent: reducing personnel;
of the above chapters, appraising the strategic environment, emerging domestic and global realities force development to achieve specific capabilities or finding the right balance between quality and
and risks involved at synthesizing viable options (WAYS) in the pursuit of the national interests quantitative elements. These signify our understanding for a balanced Navy and Coast Guard,
successfully. This presents our rationale informing grand policy of how the SLN and SLCG intend with lesser burden on tax payers ensuring credible defence and deterrence in the realization of our
to create desired strategic effects in support of the state’s enduring interests. The Chapter also national interests.
looks to provide a shared vision, unity of effort and prioritization of the effective utilization of
assets (MEANS), minimizing costs, managing risks and creating opportunities for the SLN and Core Message of our Strategy: „Rules Based Good Order at Sea‟
SLCG in its aspiration of being a credible stakeholder in the Indian Ocean. The endeavour is also
an attempt to draw clear distinction and a rebalance between our classic maritime roles and tasks. What will be Our Navy?
We no longer can be prisoners of circumstances nor blame everything else other than ourselves as SLN aspires a balanced force structure with credible defence and deterrence to seaward threats and
st
rd
we transit through the 3 decade of the 21 Century. Way forward is by taking control and owning maritime challenges in the sustainment and advancement of our way of life, security and future
our circumstances through accountability in charting a new passage plan realizing the enduring aspirations. We envisaged deployment in expanding sea areas of interest in order to achieve and
vision. We need to break ourselves from the past and reassess threats, challenges and risks secure our overarching interests as a nation. This shall encompass;
involved. We also need to position ourselves to take advantage and seize opportunities presented
and to develop ways and means necessary in the pursuit. Fundamentally, the endeavour is to be  A Near Coastal Deployment – Focuses on base distribution, redistribution,
regarded as a roadmap based on pragmatism and critical thinking for a futuristic SLN and SLCG automation and mechanization.
(versatile & flexible), with lesser burden on our national coffers.  Littoral Deployment – Includes the employment and deployment of SLN and
● Core to SLN’s Strategy. None aggression, deterrence and self-preservation in the SLCG assets to an extent of 50nm.
pursuit of our national interests and collective aspirations for rule of law, good order  EEZ Deployment – In support of maritime security operations deterring criminal
and freedom of navigation in the Indian Ocean. acts at sea, exploitation and exhaustion of living and non-living marine resources
within our jurisdiction.

66 67