by Our Defence Affairs Editor
Men and women in white in Sri Lanka are having their day today! Their immense contributions have safeguarded the nation’s maritime borders, ensuring the safety and stability of their country through a formidable commitment to service. These brave individuals patrol the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean, monitoring vital sea routes and maintaining a sense of security for millions of Sri Lankans. Yet this celebration is about much more than mere tradition—it is a commemoration of history, a reflection on sacrifices, and a moment to examine the challenges and missteps that have hindered Sri Lanka’s maritime journey. Behind the white uniforms are countless stories of unsung heroes, whose names have faded into obscurity but whose contributions were instrumental in ensuring maritime stability. As we observe the 74th Navy Day, it is essential to critically examine not only their sacrifices but also the failures, political struggles, and future challenges that remain unresolved.
The journey of maritime strategy and naval history does not begin with Sri Lanka but spans thousands of years, with its roots embedded in ancient civilisations and their attempts to master the seas.
NAVAL STRATEGISTS
Naval strategies of the past are far from relics of history; they form the foundation for how maritime strategy operates today. The ability to control sea routes, adapt to technological advancements, and employ naval assets for geopolitical and economic influence has always shaped global power dynamics. Throughout history, military leaders, technological innovations, and strategic thinkers have developed insights that continue to shape maritime power. From ancient naval strategists to modern-day theories, the evolution of naval strategy demonstrates how sea power has long been central to national strength and influence.
Key historical figures like Thucydides, Zheng He, Alfred Thayer Mahan, and Sir Julian Corbett have contributed significantly to naval strategy’s intellectual development. Thucydides (c. 460–400 BCE), the historian and military thinker, emphasised the strategic importance of sea control for maintaining economic and military strength. His observation that “the sea is a powerful aid to those who have mastery over it” remains pivotal. Zheng He (c. 1371–1433), the 15th-century Chinese admiral, led seven expeditions across the Indian Ocean under the Ming Dynasty, focusing on diplomacy and trade rather than warfare. His strategic use of naval exploration exemplifies how maritime power can foster alliances and economic opportunities.
Modern naval theorists such as Alfred Thayer Mahan and Sir Julian Corbett expanded on these historical foundations. Mahan (1840–1914) redefined naval strategy with his influential book The Influence of Sea Power upon History, arguing that sea control, maritime commerce, and naval bases are vital to national strength. Meanwhile, Sir Julian Corbett (1854–1922) offered a more balanced and flexible approach to naval strategy, focusing on logistics, joint military operations, and adaptability. Further innovations came during the 20th century with figures like Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto (1884–1943), who integrated technological advancements like air power and aircraft carriers into naval operations during WWII. Similarly, Iran’s strategic use of maritime chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz and India’s modern naval strategy under leaders like Admiral D.K. Joshi highlight how historical insights and technological change continue to shape modern maritime strategies in today’s geopolitical environment.
AGE OF EXPLORATION
As discussed earlier, the origins of maritime strategy can be traced back to ancient civilisations, where the strategic use of waterways facilitated exploration, trade, and military dominance. The Egyptians, for example, developed strategic naval trade routes along the Nile and extended their influence into the Mediterranean Sea. Similarly, the Phoenicians, renowned as master navigators, established vital trade networks that connected the Mediterranean basin. Their seafaring journeys and trade routes were among the first examples of strategic naval power and maritime commerce. The Greek and Roman empires built upon this foundation. The Athenian navy’s successes in the Peloponnesian War and Roman naval supremacy demonstrated the strategic use of maritime forces for both political and economic ambitions. As noted by naval historian Alfred Thayer Mahan, “Control of sea power is the very essence of strategic advantage.” These early examples set the stage for what would become the foundation of modern maritime strategies.
As maritime trade routes expanded during the Age of Exploration from the 15th to the 17th centuries, this period brought technological advancements and new geopolitical ambitions. European colonial powers, including Portugal, Spain, and the Dutch, sought to control these routes, establish trade outposts, and expand their territories through maritime dominance. Notable examples include Vasco da Gama’s voyage to India in 1498 and Ferdinand Magellan’s circumnavigation of the globe, which reshaped global trade patterns. The establishment of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) was a defining moment during this period, symbolising the rise of state-sponsored maritime trade empires. During this time, technological innovations like the development of caravels revolutionised naval exploration and established stronger links between isolated regions of the world.
This period was marked by the Age of Sail (17th to 19th centuries), when wooden sailing ships and advanced naval strategies defined global geopolitical ambitions. Ships-of-the-line became central to naval warfare, and strategic use of naval bases and long-range supply networks enabled European powers to project their influence far from their homelands. The Age of Sail brought not only exploration but the use of naval superiority to support colonial ambitions and trade dominance. The technological innovations of this period—powered by the need for military dominance and efficient trade networks—set the foundation for naval strategy as a geopolitical tool.
The 19th century brought about another transformative shift with the advent of steam power. The steam engine replaced traditional wind propulsion, allowing ships to travel greater distances more reliably. Ironclad ships, equipped with advanced artillery and modern engineering, replaced wooden ships, ushering in a new era of naval warfare and maritime strategy. This technological revolution enabled global powers, particularly Britain, to dominate sea routes through technological superiority. As naval historian John Keegan noted, “The advent of steam power brought about not just tactical changes but strategic shifts in how naval dominance was maintained.”
The industrial age led directly to the large-scale naval engagements witnessed during the two world wars. Both World War I and World War II introduced new technological dimensions to naval warfare, including the use of advanced submarines, aircraft carriers, and long-range destroyers. Submarine warfare, for instance, became a key component of naval strategy during this period. German U-boats, in particular, demonstrated the devastating effect of stealth and technological innovation, introducing an element of unpredictability to naval engagements. One pivotal moment of naval transformation came during the Battle of Midway in 1942, a decisive victory by the U.S. Navy that shifted the tide of the Pacific theatre during WWII. This battle, as strategic historians argue, demonstrated how technological advancements and naval adaptability could turn the course of war. Strategist Stephen Biddle observes that “Naval conflicts in modern wars are not just about firepower but the ability to adapt technologically to shifting threats.”
The Cold War era, spanning 1945 to 1990, witnessed another technological revolution with the development of nuclear-powered submarines. These vessels, armed with strategic ballistic missiles, became central to the doctrines of military deterrence employed by both the United States and the Soviet Union. The nuclear dimension of maritime strategy introduced both strategic flexibility and the risk of catastrophic escalation, reshaping how naval strategies functioned during this period. The nuclear submarine became a symbol of technological superiority and strategic might, highlighting the interconnectedness of military strategy and technological innovation.
In the modern era, the naval domain has become a space of rapid technological advancements and environmental challenges. Today’s naval strategies are shaped by threats such as cyber-warfare, climate change, and new technological paradigms like unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and stealth vessels. The interconnected challenges of environmental instability, such as rising sea levels and climate-induced shifts in global trade routes, are reshaping naval strategies. As highlighted by military strategist James Stavridis, “Modern naval strategy is defined not only by power projection but also by technological change and environmental threats.”
SRI LANKA NAVY DAY
As global maritime strategies evolve, strategic chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab el-Mandeb, and the Suez Canal continue to be focal points for control and geopolitical competition. Controlling these key maritime routes has become synonymous with maintaining strategic influence, economic dominance, and military superiority. Moreover, recent trends in cyber-warfare have introduced a new dimension to naval security, with advanced technological threats threatening traditional naval superiority. Adaptation and technological investment are therefore paramount.
The history of naval strategy provides many lessons—lessons not just from victories but also from failures. Strategic missteps, political instability, and institutional weaknesses have plagued modern navies across the world. The Sri Lankan Navy is no exception to these challenges. Despite its history of resilience and success, internal issues such as political interference, corruption, and inadequate technological investment have limited its operational capacity. Success in modern naval strategy requires more than history, sacrifices, and tradition—it demands strategic clarity, technological adaptation, and national commitment.
As Sri Lanka commemorates the 74th Navy Day, it must confront these challenges with transparency, focus, and ambition. Success will come not through hollow rhetoric or empty promises but through strategic reform, technological innovation, and long-term national vision. As history has shown time and again, naval strength is built on strategic partnerships, technological advancements, and a shared vision for stability and security. Sri Lanka must not simply celebrate history but learn from it, adapting its strategies to ensure its future maritime security.
The sacrifices of the men and women in white, their unbroken dedication to service, and the historical milestones of maritime strategy all call upon Sri Lanka to forge a new path. Modern challenges require not only history and tradition but innovation, adaptability, and resolve. This moment in time demands action, strategic thought, and commitment—not merely empty celebration but practical change. With strategic foresight, technological innovation, and unity, Sri Lanka can ensure that the sacrifices of its sailors are not in vain.
