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.

Referring to the progress made in the production of indigenous vessels, Antony said, presently 50 ships are being constructed at various Indian shipyards.

Recently a new Regional Headquarters has been set up at Gandhinagar. ‘This will facilitate synergy between the Coast Guard, State Government and other Central Government Organisations in a critical area of our coast. Measures are also being taken to enhance the efficacy of Coast Guard surveillance and Search and Rescue operations’.