Indian Coast Guard targets expanded fleet of 200 ships, 100 aircraft
New Delhi, July 20
The Indian Coast Guard said on Monday that it is targeting to further strengthen its operational capabilities by expanding its fleet to 200 ships and 100 aircraft to monitor the horizon of the country's maritime zones.
In a post on X, the ICG said,"@IndiaCoastGuard maintains a steadfast vigil over #India's maritime frontiers through continuous deployment of ships and aircraft, ensuring round-the-clock surveillance and rapid response."
"The #ICG is further strengthening its operational capabilities with an expanded fleet of ships and aircraft. Together, these advanced surface platforms and air wings form an impenetrable shield, safeguarding India's maritime zones," it said.
The post said, "The upcoming future force level targets a powerful expansion to 200 ships and 100 aircraft."
At present, a diverse fleet of 155 advanced ships, including interceptor boats, crafts and hovercrafts, stands guard in the maritime zones, supplemented by a versatile wing of 82 modern rotary surveillance aircraft.
Earlier this month, the ICG organised a one-day conference, themed "Extending Capability for Distant Horizons," at the Coast Guard headquarters in New Delhi to deliberate with shipbuilders and design houses on future platforms for fleet expansion.
The conference, inaugurated by Paramesh Sivamani, ICG Director General, brought together leading Indian shipyards and design houses to deliberate upon the future platforms.
At the moment, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) is building six Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels for the ICG. These will be large ships with an endurance of 5,000 nautical miles.
This will not only enable the force to reach further but also allow these platforms to remain at sea for longer periods and carry out sustained operations.
These ships will be capable of achieving a maximum speed of 23 knots. Measuring 117 metres in length and comprising 11 officers and 110 men, they will also feature state-of-the-art machinery and advanced technological systems, including AI-based predictive maintenance systems, remotely piloted drones, Integrated Bridge System, and Integrated Platform Management System.
The ICG has also begun receiving modern Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs), or hovercrafts, to replace its ageing fleet.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone who's worked in maritime security, this is impressive. 200 ships and 100 aircraft is a serious capability. The endurance of 5,000 nautical miles will help India dominate the Indian Ocean region. Kudos to the ICG for thinking ahead!
Excellent initiative! But let's not forget the human element - we need trained manpower to operate these advanced systems. Hope the government is investing in recruitment and training too. The hovercraft replacements are particularly interesting for our shallow waters.
Good strategic move. The Indian Ocean is getting busier with global trade and naval competition. A stronger coast guard means better protection for our economic zones and faster disaster response during cyclones. Win-win for security and humanitarian roles.
Bhagwaan ka shukar hai ki hum apni maritime security seriously le rahe hain! 🚢 But honestly, 200 ships by when? The article doesn't give a timeline. Is this 5-year plan or 15-year plan? Need more details on procurement schedules and budget allocation.
Impressive numbers, but I hope the focus isn't just on quantity. Quality matters too - the Next Gen OPVs sound good with AI and drones, but what about cybersecurity for these systems? Modern ships are vulnerable to hacking. Don't compromise on digital security.
R Rohit P