US gives Sri Lanka four million worth maritime system
Washington, June 22 (IANS) The United States has delivered a USD four million satellite communications system to the Sri Lanka Navy, boosting Colombo’s ability to monitor maritime activity across the Indian Ocean and protect some of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.
The announcement was made on Monday at the Port of Colombo by US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur during a visit aboard SLNS Gajabahu.
The Fleet Broadband system, manufactured by Cobham and Inmarsat, will be installed across Sri Lanka’s fleet of offshore patrol vessels. US officials said the technology would provide secure ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communications, allowing Sri Lankan naval vessels to remain connected while operating far from the country’s coastline.
The system is valued at about USD 4 million, or more than Sri Lankan Rupees 1.2 billion.
Officials from both countries discussed maritime cooperation and the role of advanced communications technology in securing international shipping routes, supporting disaster response operations and countering illicit activity across the Indian Ocean.
“Today we announced the delivery of US satellite communications technology to the Sri Lanka Navy, our Indo-Pacific partner,” Kapur said.
“This secure, real-time connection — representing a transformational upgrade for the Sri Lanka Navy — will be available aboard their entire fleet of offshore patrol vessels and ensures no communication gap at sea. It will allow our Sri Lanka partners to respond quickly to emergencies, protect the cargo ships that fuel our economy, and disrupt illegal activity across the Indian Ocean before it reaches our shores.”
According to the US State Department, the system will enable Sri Lankan vessels to maintain real-time connectivity with naval headquarters, aircraft and other ships operating across vast stretches of the Indian Ocean.
The capability is expected to improve maritime domain awareness, strengthen operational coordination and support efforts to interdict vessels involved in illicit trafficking. It will also help authorities track sanctioned vessels and safeguard commercial supply chains.
Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), said the new capability would strengthen both maritime security and defence cooperation between Colombo and Washington.
He said the system would improve the Sri Lanka Navy’s ability to maintain seamless connectivity across its fleet, sustain real-time situational awareness and share critical information with regional partners.
Jayasekara also said the technology would support more coordinated responses to illicit activities and help reinforce the reliability of international shipping lanes passing through the Indian Ocean.
The United States said the Fleet Broadband network would allow Sri Lankan naval vessels to work more effectively with partner countries during joint exercises and operational missions aimed at promoting security at sea.
–IANS
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