Maritime security in the Caribbean region has been bolstered with the delivery of six high speed aluminium patrol craft for the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard (TTCG).

Capable of speeds greater than 40 knots and armed with general purpose machine guns and a 20mm cannon, the 30 metre vessels – designed and built by Australian shipbuilder Austal – will expand the TTCG’s surveillance and enforcement capability in the region. The on-schedule, on-budget delivery of the fleet was achieved less than two years from the initial order, with the final vessels arriving in Trinidad and Tobago via heavy lift ship on January 18.

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India today announced a quantum jump in the number of Indian Coast Guard personnel to make it a potent force to counter terrorism from the sea. Addressing the 28th Coast Guard Commanders’ Conference, the defense minister AK Antony said the Government has sanctioned nearly 3,000 additional personnel at various levels and this needs to be filled up on priority. He said the concept of ‘security’ has changed in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attack and the spectrum and nature of duties of Indian Coast Guard have undergone a sea-change. He said the Government is making all out efforts to help Indian Coast Guard become one of the finest Coast Guards in the world in a couple of years.

Antony said additional responsibility of coastal surveillance has been given to the Coast Guard and for the efficient discharge of their responsibilities the Government has approved a vast array of ships, aircraft, equipment with manpower and development of support infrastructure. He said the Coast Guard is in the process of acquiring 20 Fast Patrol Vehicles (FPVs), 41 Interceptor Boats, 12 Coastal Surveillance Aircraft(Dorniers) and 7 off-shore Patrol Vehicles(OPVs). He also said work is in progress to put in place a chain of 46 Coastal Radars spanning 9 Coastal Stations across the country. Moreover, 9 new Coast Guard Station have been approved. “These need to be established early”, the Defence Minister said.

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The Engines Division of propulsion and power specialist Tognum has received two orders for the supply of MTU engines and automation systems for 23 new ships for the Indian Coast Guard. The total value of the contracts is 32.5 million euro. The engines are to be delivered between the end of 2009 and the end of 2011.

“These contracts secured by MTU Asia demonstrate once again that business in the government vessels sector is a very steady, strong and essential component of our overall portfolio. It is also especially important in economically difficult times“, states Rainer Breidenbach, Tognum COO with responsibility for the Engines Division.

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