The United States has delivered an advanced satellite communications system to the Sri Lanka Navy, providing Fleet Broadband technology designed to improve secure maritime communication across the country’s offshore patrol fleet, the U.S. Embassy in Colombo said in a statement.
The announcement was made aboard SLNS Gajabahu at the Port of Colombo by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur, who said the United States would provide the Fleet Broadband satellite communications technology to strengthen maritime connectivity along major international shipping routes.
Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), Hon. Deputy Minister of Defense, and Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, hosted Assistant Secretary Kapur aboard the vessel. During the engagement, officials discussed maritime cooperation and the role of advanced U.S. communications technology in supporting international shipping security, regional disaster response and efforts to counter illicit activities across the Indian Ocean, according to the statement.
The Fleet Broadband system, manufactured by Cobham and Inmarsat, is valued at approximately $4 million, or more than LKR 1.2 billion, and will be installed across the Sri Lanka Navy’s fleet of offshore patrol vessels.
The U.S.-provided system uses satellite communications technology to provide secure ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore connectivity, allowing naval vessels to exchange voice, data and information while operating beyond coastal communication ranges. The technology will enable the Sri Lanka Navy to maintain real-time communication with its headquarters, aircraft and other vessels across extensive maritime areas, including remote sections of the Indian Ocean.
According to the U.S. Embassy, the upgraded communications capability will support maritime domain awareness, improve operational coordination, assist emergency response efforts, help interdict vessels involved in illicit trafficking, support the tracking of sanctioned vessels and protect critical supply routes connected to regional and global commerce.
“Today we announced the delivery of U.S. satellite communications technology to the Sri Lanka Navy, our Indo-Pacific partner,” Kapur said. He added that the secure, real-time connection represented an upgrade for the Sri Lanka Navy and would be available across its offshore patrol vessel fleet, ensuring continuous communication capability at sea.
Kapur said the system would allow Sri Lanka’s naval forces to respond more quickly to emergencies, protect cargo ships supporting economic activity and disrupt illegal activity across the Indian Ocean before it reaches national waters.
Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) said the new communications capability would enhance maritime domain awareness and strengthen defense cooperation between the United States and Sri Lanka. He also highlighted the Sri Lanka Navy’s role in monitoring activity along some of the world’s busiest shipping routes.
Jayasekara further said the introduction of Fleet Broadband would improve the Navy’s ability to maintain continuous connectivity across its fleet, sustain real-time situational awareness throughout Sri Lanka’s maritime domain and share important information with regional partners. According to the statement, the enhanced capability will support coordinated responses to illicit activities and contribute to maintaining the reliability of international shipping routes.
The delivery marks the latest U.S. support initiative involving maritime communications technology for the Sri Lanka Navy, with the system intended to expand connectivity and information-sharing capabilities during naval operations.
