Sri Lankan authorities are in touch with the governments of India and the US to procure two high-tech aircraft for better monitoring of the sea, reported Colombopage.  

Sri Lankan Air Force chief Sudarshana Pathirana has told a local media outlet that steps have been taken to procure two state-of-the-art aircraft from the United States and India for monitoring Sri Lankan waters to prevent maritime crimes including all extremist activities conducted across the Indian Ocean centering Sri Lanka.

The move is aimed to check the illegal activities in Sri Lankan waters and also to prevent its use for smuggling of goods. 

“As a first step, Sri Lanka will receive two high-tech aircraft with technology not yet available in the country from the United States and India free of charge this year,” the Air Force Commander was quoted as saying by Colombopage. 

The maritime area of Sri Lanka is around 24 times larger than the island itself. And securing these areas is itself a big challenge for both navy and airforce, the chief said. 

He also added that maritime security would be further enhanced by the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. Ocean surveillance activities are carried out by air would utilize the latest technologies.