Sri Lanka and United States sign reciprocal military logistics deal

Defence Support

05 March 2007 16:07:01

Sri Lanka and United States sign reciprocal military logistics deal

March 05 (LBO) – Sri Lanka and the United States has signed a deal to give reciprocal logistical support for the military forces of the two countries, the US embassy in Colombo said Monday.

The 10-year agreement which will provide a framework for increased interoperability of the forces of the two countries has been signed between Sri Lankan Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa and U.S. Ambassador Robert Blake.

"The Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) will allow the United States and Sri Lanka to transfer and exchange logistics supplies, support, and re-fueling services, either in kind or at cost, during peacekeeping missions, humanitarian operations and joint exercises," the US embassy said in a statement.

The embassy said food, petroleum, and transportation is covered by the agreement but the provision of weapons systems or ammunition was 'expressly prohibited'.

"Each nation's forces can support the other during contingencies, such as disaster relief or peacekeeping operations, which reduces the logistics requirement for each nation," the statement said.

Logistics support given through the agreement cannot be transferred beyond the forces of the receiving party without consent of the providing party.

"ACSA will facilitate the exchange of non-lethal equipment, increase cooperation in the field and reduce the paperwork involved," Ambassador Blake said in the statement.

"For example, if the Sri Lankan Army had sent troops to assist in the Pakistani earthquake and needed winter coats for the soldiers, under ACSA the United States could provide those winter coats in exchange for fuel and foodstuffs the next time a U.S. vessel made a port call in Colombo. "

The United States has ACSA agreements with 89 other countries around the world.

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