US, Israel help Sri Lanka to boost air, sea surveillance capability

By Shamindra Ferdinando | The Island
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Sri Lanka is in the process of building and re-deploying its naval and air assets to thwart any future attempt to open up illegal sea routes to and from the country.

The navy and air force will re-position their assets in support of ground deployment in coastal areas.

In line with this strategy, the navy has shifted its north-western headquarters from Puttalam to Mullikulam to exercise naval command and control from Udappuwa to Arippu.

On the invitation of navy Commander Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa after declaring open the new headquarters last week said that new permanent bases would be set up to enhance security. A key element in the new deployment plan would be to ensure north-eastern seas could not be used for illegal activities, the Defence Secretary said.

Sri Lanka took delivery of two Israeli-built Fast Attack Craft (FACs) which are now undergoing trials since the end of war. They are among six FACs expected to join the navy.

Authoritative sources told The Island that the US had enhanced Sri Lanka’s air surveillance capability by providing sophisticated real time data link system.

Sources said that the SLAF took delivery of the system early this year following the conclusion of the war in May last year. Mounted on two Beech King Aircraft SMR 2201 and SMR 2202, the system would Sri Lanka obtain real time intelligence, which would give the military top brass to act swiftly.

During the war, Sri Lanka had mounted a different system on Beech King Aircraft to obtain real time intelligence. Separately, the SLAF deployed UAVs (Unmanned aerial Vehicles) on surveillance missions day and night.

During the initial stages of the Eelam war IV, the US enhanced Sri Lanka’s coastal surveillance capability, though there had been some hiccups.

Despite various constrains, the navy set up Automatic Identification Systems (AISs) at selected coastal bases to monitor ship movements on its own in the wake of concern raised by a third party. Sources recalled the delay caused by similar situation leading to the failure on the part of the government to neutralize threat posed by LTTE aircraft by deploying Chinese radar. Despite a delay, Sri Lanka finally acquired Chinese radar during the Eelam War IV.

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