Special Boat Squadron
Encyclopedia
The Special Boat Squadron (SBS) (In Sinhalese: "Wishesha Yathra Balaghanaya") is the Sri Lanka Navy's elite special forces
unit. It forms part of the Sri Lanka Special Forces, alongside the Commando Regiment
(CR), Special Forces Regiment
(SF), and SLAF Special Forces
(SLAFSF). Unlike any of the other Sri Lankan special forces units the SBS is a naval special forces unit.
Established in the 1993 the SBS was modeled after the Special Boat Service
of the Royal Navy
. In its role as a naval special forces unit it takes up wide variety of operations such as amphibious raids, Maritime Counter-Terrorism, Reconnaissance and target indication, combat swimmer missions and small boat operations. As a Special Forces unit, its role is not limited to water-borne operations. SBS conducts operations on land, either with Commando Regiment
(CR), Special Forces Regiment
(SF), regular ground combat units of the Navy and the Army and in many occasions separately.
with three officers and 76 able seamen. Shortly after completing special training the first Special Boat Squadron consisting of 25 was established. The first operation carried out by the SBS was in November 1993, when it took part in the recapturing of the Navy camp in Pooneryn
which had been attacked by terrorists. The SBS was the first to penetrate the camps defences shortly after the camp was captured. The SBS has taken part in many major operations carried out by the Sri Lankan military including operations like Rivirasa
, Dirithara and Agnikheela. In recent months with the resumption of hostilities the SBS has been actively deployed.
In recent years SBS units have been deployed for small boat operations against sea tigers
boats and suicide crafts. SBS units are variously equipped with vessels including Arrow speed boats
.
Special forces
Special forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...
unit. It forms part of the Sri Lanka Special Forces, alongside the Commando Regiment
Sri Lanka Army Commando Regiment
The Sri Lanka Army Commando Regiment is an elite special operations unit which is a Regiment of the Sri Lanka Army. Within one of the four Army Commando Regiments there is a 140-man counter-terrorist unit that provides the primary Counter-terrorism response for Sri Lanka...
(CR), Special Forces Regiment
Sri Lanka Army Special Forces Regiment
The Sri Lanka Army Special Forces Regiment is the elite special forces unit of the Sri Lanka Army. This Regiment is specialized in hard-hitting shock action. The Special Forces Regiment has the distinction of taking part in almost all major offensives conducted by the Army since 1986. Their motto...
(SF), and SLAF Special Forces
Sri Lanka Air Force Regiment Special Force
Regiment Special Force is an elite Special Forces unit of the Sri Lanka Air Force, part of the SLAF Regiment. This was formerly Air Base Defence Rescue Squadron established on 7 July 2003...
(SLAFSF). Unlike any of the other Sri Lankan special forces units the SBS is a naval special forces unit.
Established in the 1993 the SBS was modeled after the Special Boat Service
Special Boat Service
The Special Boat Service is the special forces unit of the British Royal Navy. Together with the Special Air Service, Special Reconnaissance Regiment and the Special Forces Support Group they form the United Kingdom Special Forces and come under joint control of the same Director Special...
of the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
. In its role as a naval special forces unit it takes up wide variety of operations such as amphibious raids, Maritime Counter-Terrorism, Reconnaissance and target indication, combat swimmer missions and small boat operations. As a Special Forces unit, its role is not limited to water-borne operations. SBS conducts operations on land, either with Commando Regiment
Sri Lanka Army Commando Regiment
The Sri Lanka Army Commando Regiment is an elite special operations unit which is a Regiment of the Sri Lanka Army. Within one of the four Army Commando Regiments there is a 140-man counter-terrorist unit that provides the primary Counter-terrorism response for Sri Lanka...
(CR), Special Forces Regiment
Sri Lanka Army Special Forces Regiment
The Sri Lanka Army Special Forces Regiment is the elite special forces unit of the Sri Lanka Army. This Regiment is specialized in hard-hitting shock action. The Special Forces Regiment has the distinction of taking part in almost all major offensives conducted by the Army since 1986. Their motto...
(SF), regular ground combat units of the Navy and the Army and in many occasions separately.
History
The SBS was inaugurated on 18 January 1993 at SLNS Elara in Karainagar, JaffnaJaffna
Jaffna is the capital city of the Northern Province, Sri Lanka. It is the administrative headquarters of the Jaffna district located on a peninsula of the same name. Jaffna is approximately six miles away from Kandarodai which served as a famous emporium in the Jaffna peninsula from classical...
with three officers and 76 able seamen. Shortly after completing special training the first Special Boat Squadron consisting of 25 was established. The first operation carried out by the SBS was in November 1993, when it took part in the recapturing of the Navy camp in Pooneryn
Pooneryn
Pooneryn is a strategically important village in the northern province of Sri Lanka situated just below the Jaffna Peninsula. Built in the Pooneryn area of north portion of the island first by the Portuguese to protect its possessions in Jaffna, it was expanded by the Dutch till in 1770 it was...
which had been attacked by terrorists. The SBS was the first to penetrate the camps defences shortly after the camp was captured. The SBS has taken part in many major operations carried out by the Sri Lankan military including operations like Rivirasa
Operation Riviresa
Operation Riviresa , was a combined military operation launched by the Sri Lankan Armed Forces in Jaffna. Starting on the 17 October 1995, the primary objective of the operation was the capture of the town of Jaffna and rest of the Jaffna peninsula from the LTTE...
, Dirithara and Agnikheela. In recent months with the resumption of hostilities the SBS has been actively deployed.
In recent years SBS units have been deployed for small boat operations against 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...
boats and suicide crafts. SBS units are variously equipped with vessels including 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...
.
Role
The roles of the Special Boat Squadron are predominantly focused on, but not restricted to,- Small boat operations in support of littoralLittoralThe 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 - Covert beach reconnaissance (Hydrographic survey) in advance of amphibious assault.
- Covert assault route preparation in advance of amphibious assault.
- Recovery or protection of ships subject to terrorist action.
- Maritime Counter-TerrorismCounter-terrorismCounter-terrorism is the practices, tactics, techniques, and strategies that governments, militaries, police departments and corporations adopt to prevent or in response to terrorist threats and/or acts, both real and imputed.The tactic of terrorism is available to insurgents and governments...
- Reconnaissance and target indication in the deep battlespace
- Assault on verified targets
- Protection of senior naval officers.
See also
- Military of Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka Navy
- Military ranks and insignia of the Sri Lanka NavyMilitary ranks and insignia of the Sri Lanka NavyThe following tables present the military ranks and insignia of the Sri Lanka Navy. These ranks generally correspond with those of Western or Commonwealth Nations militaries, and reflect those of the British Warrant Officer, Non Commissioned Officer and enlisted ranks and the Commissioned officer...
- Sri Lanka Army Special Forces RegimentSri Lanka Army Special Forces RegimentThe Sri Lanka Army Special Forces Regiment is the elite special forces unit of the Sri Lanka Army. This Regiment is specialized in hard-hitting shock action. The Special Forces Regiment has the distinction of taking part in almost all major offensives conducted by the Army since 1986. Their motto...
- Sri Lanka Army Commando RegimentSri Lanka Army Commando RegimentThe Sri Lanka Army Commando Regiment is an elite special operations unit which is a Regiment of the Sri Lanka Army. Within one of the four Army Commando Regiments there is a 140-man counter-terrorist unit that provides the primary Counter-terrorism response for Sri Lanka...
- Sri Lanka Air Force Regiment Special ForceSri Lanka Air Force Regiment Special ForceRegiment Special Force is an elite Special Forces unit of the Sri Lanka Air Force, part of the SLAF Regiment. This was formerly Air Base Defence Rescue Squadron established on 7 July 2003...