Question: Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to satate :-

a) whether it is a fact that against the requirements of 154 ships and 93 boats, the Indian Coast Guard has only 45 ships and 27 boats at present;

(b) if so, the reasons for very slow pace of acquisition of aircrafts, ships and other equipments for Coast Guard;

(c) whether a large number of aircrafts and helicopters of Coast Guard are lying non-operational for a long time due to slow process of their repair work;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and

(e) the immediate remedial steps taken by Government to secure 7500 km. coastline of the country?

Answer: Minister of Defence (Shri A.K. Antony)

(a) & (b): Indian Coast Guard has assets such as Ships, Boats, Air Cushion Vessels etc. in pursuance of its assigned mandate. The acquisition of ships and boats are carried out keeping in view the threat perceptions, strategic concerns and operational requirements. There has been a significant acquisition of aircrafts and ships for Coast Guard in recent years.

(c) No Sir.

(d) Does not arise.

(e) Government attaches utmost importance to nation’s coastal security and surveillance. Review and monitoring of coastal security mechanism is a continuous process. Several measures to strengthen Coastal Security, including improving surveillance mechanism and enhanced patrolling by security agencies following an integrated approach have been put in place. Joint operational exercises are conducted on regular basis among Navy, Coast Guard, Coastal Police, customs and others. The intelligence mechanism has been streamlined through the creation of Joint Operation Centres and multi-agency coordination mechanism. Installation of radars covering the country’s coastline and islands is also an essential part of this process. Deployment of assets is done as per threat inputs / perceptions and requirements.

Defence Acquisition

Defence Economics & Industry