Defence Asia

  The network of undersea data cables which traverse around Sri Lankan territorial, EEZ waters and connect the country to the world. Pic - ICPC. By Asiri Fernando Sri Lanka last week launched a Submarine Cable Protection and Resilience Framework (SCPRF), becoming the first nation in the region to initiate a process that will bring legislation on the seabed cable network that connects the island to the digital world of communication, services and commerce. The SCPRF was launched at a stakeholder meeting chaired by Secretary to the President, Dr. P. B. Jayasundara on 15 July, the Foreign Ministry said.  Foreign Secretary Admiral Professor Jayanath Colombage, senior ministry officials, members of the TRCSL, UNODC and the Japanese Embassy in Sri Lanka joined the launch.  The move by Sri Lanka, which is currently the Vice-Chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) gives the country the opportunity to take a lead role in a critical issue of global importance and be a more...

Maldivian National Defence Forces and US Marines during Exercise Coconut Grove 2012. Pic by - Cpl. Isis M. Ramirez (USMC)       By Asiri Fernando The United States and Maldives earlier this month (10 September) signed an agreement to deepen engagement and cooperation on defence and security. The agreement came one day after two US allies, India and Japan signed an Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA). Both agreements also came in the backdrop of US Secretary of Defence Dr. Mark T. Esper speaking to the President of Sri Lanka and the Prime Minister of Bangladesh on security, defence and COVID-19 related matters. The renewed emphasis on defence cooperation and improving security relationships in the region comes as Quadrilateral Security Dialog - "The Quad", composed of the US, Japan, India and Australia are deepening their security cooperation, according to the US think tank RAND. The US - Maldivian agreement termed "Framework for U.S. Department of Defe...

                               An SLAF Bell-206 Jet Ranger in service with No.7 Squadron. Credit www.airforce.lk By Asiri Fernando The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) will call for international bids to buy four used helicopters to replenish its aging training fleet in  the near future.  The acquisition is to be made via competitive international bidding following government approval earlier this month.  Speaking to the press earlier this month (8 July), Co-Cabinet spokesman Romesh Pathirana said that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on behalf of the Ministry of Defense had sought Cabinet approval to make the purchase. Pathirana pointed out that the SLAF needed to train pilots for UN peacekeeping missions. According to Pathirana, the SLAF currently uses two helicopters manufactured in 1981 to train Pilots. The Jet Rangers first entered service in 1969, the Air Force website said. Several un-serviceable...