US Boosts Sri Lanka Navy with $4M High-Tech Satellite System

COLOMBO (News 1st); The United States has announced a major boost to Sri Lanka’s maritime security capabilities, with the provision of advanced Fleet Broadband satellite communications technology to the Sri Lanka Navy, aimed at strengthening connectivity across some of the world’s busiest shipping routes.

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, during a high-level engagement focused on deepening bilateral maritime cooperation.

Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) and Sri Lanka Navy Commander Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda hosted Assistant Secretary Kapur on board the naval vessel, where discussions centred on enhancing maritime security, improving operational coordination, and leveraging advanced communications technology to safeguard critical sea lanes.

The United States will provide a comprehensive Fleet Broadband system valued at approximately $4 million (over Rs 1.2 billion), which will be installed across the Sri Lanka Navy’s fleet of offshore patrol vessels.

Manufactured by Cobham and Inmarsat, the system represents a significant upgrade in naval communication infrastructure.

Fleet Broadband technology enables secure ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communication, offering reliable voice, data, and real-time information sharing capabilities even in remote ocean zones. The system will allow Sri Lanka Navy vessels to maintain uninterrupted connectivity with headquarters, aircraft, and other ships while operating far beyond coastal limits.

Officials highlighted that this enhanced capability will significantly improve maritime domain awareness, strengthen surveillance across vast areas of the Indian Ocean, and support faster and more coordinated responses to emergencies, including disaster relief operations.

In addition, the upgraded system is expected to play a critical role in countering illicit activities, including drug trafficking and other maritime crimes, while also enabling the tracking of sanctioned vessels and protecting vital global shipping routes that underpin international trade.

The new technology will also allow the Sri Lanka Navy to work more seamlessly with international partners in joint exercises and real-world operations, further reinforcing regional cooperation and stability in the Indian Ocean.