..:: India Strategic ::. Indian Navy: Indian Coast Guard expands in the Arabian Sea

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Editorial

Indian Coast Guard expands in the Arabian Sea
Lakshadweep gets a district headquarters

By Sangeeta Saxena

Published: January 2011

New Delhi. Keeping up with the policy of top vigilance and surveillance of the seas surrounding India, the last outpost of the country in the Arabian Sea, Minicoy, recently got its coastal security surveillance apparatus.

Defence Minister AK Antony concurrently established the Coast Guard District Headquarters for Lakshadweep at Kavaratti.

Antony said, “We can neglect the seas only at our peril, as the 2008 terror attacks on Mumbai showed. The maritime forces should remain ever vigilant and must never lower their guard at any point of time.”

The two new establishments in the strategically located islands will provide the much needed teeth to Coast Guard operations and enhance safety and security of Lakshadweep Islands. They would also facilitate greater synergy between Coast Guard, administration of Lakshadweep and other agencies.

The new station at Kavaratti has been named District headquarters No 12 and it will have operational control over a number of ships and aircraft such as Hovercrafts, Fast Patrol Vessels, Interceptor Boats, Helicopter and Fixed Wing Aircraft on the commissioning of planned stations. All the operational platforms are equipped with modern surveillance systems, sensors, weapons and communication equipment to maintain round-the-clock vigil at sea.

The Indian Coast Guard also plans to set up another Coast Guard Station at Androth next year and an air enclave at Minicoy in 2012.

Six radar stations of the Coastal Surveillance Network (CSN) are also being established in the Lakshadweep and Minicoy islands.

Antony said, the commissioning of the much needed Coast Guard Station at Minicoy has a special relevance due to its proximity to two of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. Since the nearest Coast Guard ships and aircraft were based at Kochi, a need for Coast Guard station with a forward airbase at this location was always felt. He said our aim is to create a real-time coastal surveillance system that can be controlled even from remote locations.

“The fast-paced economic growth has increased the volume of maritime trade and commerce. The resultant growth of maritime traffic calls for drawing up an efficient framework that addresses all issues related to maritime safety, security, protection of of maritime environment, disaster mitigation and law enforcement at sea. The maritime infrastructure, oceanic resources and sea-borne trade need to be zealously protected 24X7. The Coast Guard possesses the expertise in this field and as such, its role is highly significant and relevant”, he said.

Antony said that after the Cabinet Committee on Security decided to entrust Coast Guard with the responsibility of coastal security, the organization is in the process of enhancing its surveillance capabilities manifold. The present force levels and manpower are projected to be doubled through phased procurement, with a proportionate development of infrastructure and augmentation of manpower.

Antony was accompanied by the Member of Parliament Hamdulla Sayeed, Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar, FOC-in-C (South) Vice Admiral KN Sushil, DG Coast Guard Vice Admiral Anil Chopra and the Administrator of Lakshadweep JK Dadoo.