Rapid Action Boat Squadron
Encyclopedia
The Rapid Action Boat Squadron (RABS) is a force element squadron
of the Sri Lanka Navy that provides expertise in small boat operations
in support of littoral
operations, amphibious
and riverine activities. The unit is equipped with Inshore Patrol Crafts (IPC)s and Arrow speed boats
that provide high degree of fire power along with high speed and maneuverability.
Formed in 2008 the unit is tasked with countering light fibreglass attack boats used by the Sea Tigers
in the coastal waters of Sri Lanka
during the Sri Lankan Civil War
. The unit also carried out amphibious raids on sea tigers coastal outposts.
They operate with IPCs in groups of four craft with some groups totaling 25–30 craft combine to form IPC units, which are based at strategically important locations around the island. The IPC squadrons are organised for rapid-reaction interception operations, because the Sea Tiger
cadres were able to remain hidden until they decide to confront the SLN. To maximise the amount of fire power each squadron can bring to a battle, an IPC
unit would speed towards the enemy using strategies that echo infantry tactics: an arrowhead formation is used to expand each boat’s arc of fire in an attack manoeuvre, or boats are arranged in three adjacent columns in single file so as to mask their numbers and increase the SLN’s element of surprise.
Squadron (naval)
A squadron, or naval squadron, is a unit of 3-4 major warships, transport ships, submarines, or sometimes small craft that may be part of a larger task force or a fleet...
of the Sri Lanka Navy that provides expertise in small boat operations
Small boat operations
Small boat operations in military and naval warfare refers to operations in and around the littoral zone, within a certain distance of shore, carried out by small but fast and highly maneuverable crafts. In recent years small unmanned systems have been tested for use in this kind of warfare.The...
in support of littoral
Littoral
The littoral zone is that part of a sea, lake or river that is close to the shore. In coastal environments the littoral zone extends from the high water mark, which is rarely inundated, to shoreline areas that are permanently submerged. It always includes this intertidal zone and is often used to...
operations, amphibious
Amphibious warfare
Amphibious warfare is the use of naval firepower, logistics and strategy to project military power ashore. In previous eras it stood as the primary method of delivering troops to non-contiguous enemy-held terrain...
and riverine activities. The unit is equipped with Inshore Patrol Crafts (IPC)s and Arrow speed boats
Arrow boat
Arrow is a series of fast patrol/assault speed boat made by the Sri Lanka Navy for use by its littoral warfare units, the elite Special Boat Squadron and the Rapid Action Boat Squadron . The boat is capable of achieving high speeds and is highly maneuverable, meeting the requirements of these...
that provide high degree of fire power along with high speed and maneuverability.
Formed in 2008 the unit is tasked with countering light fibreglass attack boats used by the Sea Tigers
Sea Tigers
The Sea Tigers was the naval wing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam during the Sri Lankan Civil War. It was founded in 1984. The Sea Tigers had a number of small but effective suicide bomber vessels. During its existence it had gained a reputation as a capable adversary for the Sri Lankan Navy...
in the coastal waters of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
during the Sri Lankan Civil War
Sri Lankan civil war
The Sri Lankan Civil War was a conflict fought on the island of Sri Lanka. Beginning on July 23, 1983, there was an on-and-off insurgency against the government by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam , a separatist militant organization which fought to create an independent Tamil state named Tamil...
. The unit also carried out amphibious raids on sea tigers coastal outposts.
They operate with IPCs in groups of four craft with some groups totaling 25–30 craft combine to form IPC units, which are based at strategically important locations around the island. The IPC squadrons are organised for rapid-reaction interception operations, because the Sea Tiger
Sea Tigers
The Sea Tigers was the naval wing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam during the Sri Lankan Civil War. It was founded in 1984. The Sea Tigers had a number of small but effective suicide bomber vessels. During its existence it had gained a reputation as a capable adversary for the Sri Lankan Navy...
cadres were able to remain hidden until they decide to confront the SLN. To maximise the amount of fire power each squadron can bring to a battle, an IPC
unit would speed towards the enemy using strategies that echo infantry tactics: an arrowhead formation is used to expand each boat’s arc of fire in an attack manoeuvre, or boats are arranged in three adjacent columns in single file so as to mask their numbers and increase the SLN’s element of surprise.
See also
- Special Boat Squadron
- 1 Assault Group Royal Marines1 Assault Group Royal Marines1 Assault Group Royal Marines provides the Royal Marines expertise and training in small boat operations both amphibious and riverine. In addition it trains and parents the Assault Squadrons of the Royal Marines and their Landing Craft detachments...
- NAVSCIATTS
- Special Warfare Combatant-craft CrewmenSpecial Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen-History:Special Boat Teams can trace their history back to World War II. Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Three rescued General Douglas MacArthur from the Philippines after the Japanese invasion and then participated in guerrilla actions until American resistance ended with the fall of Corregidor...