• The defence ministry signed a Rs 1,614 crore contract with Mazagon Dockyard Shipbuilders Ltd for procurement of six next generation offshore patrol vessels for the Indian Coast Guard.

• The acquisition of the platforms is aimed at boosting the Coast Guard’s capability towards maritime security.

• The contract was made under the buy (Indian-IDDM) category at a total cost of Rs 1614.89 crore.

• Out of the six vessels being procured, four would replace the existing aging offshore patrol vessels and the other two would augment the Coast Guard’s fleet.

• The acquisition of these major ICG platforms is aimed to boost the ICG’s capability and reinforces the increased focus of the government towards maritime security.

• These modern and high-tech ships will play a critical role in enhancing surveillance, law enforcement, search and rescue, maritime pollution response, and other important capabilities including humanitarian assistance.

• Along with several high-tech advanced features and equipment, these offshore patrol vessels would be equipped with multipurpose drones, AI (artificial intelligence) capabilities, and wirelessly controlled remote water rescue craft lifebuoy, enabling greater flexibility and operational edge.

Indian Coast Guard

• Indian Navy has been designated as the authority responsible for overall maritime security including coastal and offshore security. Indian Navy is assisted by Indian Coast Guard (ICG), Coastal Police and other central and state agencies.

• ICG is a multi-mission organisation, conducting round-the-year operations at sea. Despite being relatively small, it has a wide range of task capabilities for both surface and air operations.

• A charter of duties is laid down in the Coast Guard Act, 1978. 

• From just seven surface platforms in 1978, the ICG has grown into a formidable force with 158 ships and 70 aircraft in its inventory and is likely to achieve targeted force levels of 200 surface platforms and 80 aircraft by 2025. 

• As the fourth largest Coast Guard in the world, it has played a significant role in securing the Indian coasts and enforcing regulations in the maritime zones of India. 

• ICG is designated as an authority responsible for coastal security in Territorial Waters including areas to be patrolled by Coastal Police.

• The Director General of ICG has been designated as Commander Coastal Command and is responsible for overall coordination between central and state agencies in all matters relating to coastal security. 

• The Coast Guard Headquarters (CGHQ) is located in New Delhi. For effective command and control, the maritime zones of India are divided into five Coast Guard regions — North-West, West, East, North-East and Andaman & Nicobar, with the respective regional headquarters located at Gandhinagar, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Port Blair.

Duties of Indian Coast Guard include:

i) Ensure safety and protection of artificial islands, offshore terminals and other installations.

ii) Protection and assistance to fishermen and mariners at sea.

iii) Preservation and protection of marine ecology and environment including pollution control.

iv) Assistance to the Department of Customs and other authorities in anti-smuggling operations.

v) Law enforcement in territorial as well as international waters.

vi) Scientific data collection and support.

vii) National defence during hostilities (under the operational control of the Indian Navy).

• True to its motto “Vayam Rakshamah”, meaning “We Protect”, Indian Coast Guard has to its credit of saving over 11,881 lives and apprehending around 14,000 miscreants since inception in 1977. 

• The deterrence created by the Indian Coast Guard is not limited to the Indian waters, but collaboration with friendly littoral states as per provisions of bilateral cooperation agreements resulted in successful apprehension and seizure of drugs in Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The real time information sharing, close coordination and understanding between ICG and other international agencies have been the highlights of these operations.

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