Navy designated central authority to oversee maritime security

Kochi, Feb 28 (PTI) In the backdrop of the Mumbai
terror attacks exposing the chinks in coastal security,
the Indian government Saturday designated the navy as the
central authority responsible for the country's overall
maritime security.

"The Navy will be assisted by Coast Guard, state marine
police and central agencies for the coastal defence of the
nation," Defence Minister A K Antony told reporters here in
southern state of Kerala.

Observing that the 26/11 attacks have shaken the entire
nation and brought out the need for strengthening coastal
security, he said the government has approved certain
important measures for strengthening maritime and coastal
security against the threat from the sea.

"Against the backdrop of multiple agencies involved in
coastal security, and the resultant problems of coordination,
the Navy has been designated as the authority responsible for
maritime security," he said.

The government has also decided that it will set up joint
operation centres (JOCs) at Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, Kochi and
Port Blair under charge of Naval commanders-in-chief.

"The JOCs will be jointly manned and operated by Navy and
Coast Guard with inputs from diverse agencies including
Coast Guard, Navy and concerned Central and state agencies,"
he added.

Accordingly the Naval and commanders-in chief would be
designated as commanders-in-chief of coastal defence, Antony
said.

The Navy would get a specialised force called "Sagar
Prahari Bal" comprising 1,000 personnel for protecting naval
assets and bases on both east and west coasts and island
territories.

Antony said that a national command control
communication and intelligence network, for real time maritime
domain awareness between the operations rooms of Navy and
Coast Guard, both at the field and the apex levels, will be
established.

"The Navy will control all Navy and Coast Guard joint
operations. This will ensure that the assets are optimally
deployed and there is synergy between the two organisations,"
he added.

"With these measures, the government expects that a new
focus would be given for effectively managing threats from
the sea and security for our over 7,500 km long coastline,"
the minister said.

Government has also decided to enhance the assets of
Navy and Coast Guard by increasing the number of ships, boats,
helicopters and aircraft besides manpower.

The Navy would also get 80 fast interception crafts
for sea-front patrolling.

The Coast Guard would get a new regional headquarter
in Gujarat, which would be designated as 'north-west region'
and a new post of Commander Coast Guard to look after
surveillance of the state's coast.

The government has also decided to install Vessel and
Air Traffic Management System for all offshore development
areas, as has been done in the western offshore region by the
petroleum ministry.

"It would also procure immediate support vessels for
offshore security by both Navy and the petroleum ministry.
Till then crafts would be hired for patrolling," Antony said.

The Coast Guard would be additionally designated as the
authority for coastal security in territorial waters,
including areas patrolled by state coastal police.

The Coast Guard Director General would be designated as
Commander of Coastal Command and would be responsible for
overall coordination between state and central agencies in
matters relating to coastal security, the minister said.

The government would also set up nine additional Coast
Guard stations to integrate into the 'hub and spoke concept'
with coastal police stations along with manpower.

These stations would be located at Karwar, Ratnagiri,
Vadinar, Gopalpur, Minicoy, Androth, Karaikal, Hut Bay and
Nizampatnam.

The Coast Guard would be empowered both in terms of
providing assets and necessary manpower for their enhanced
role in guarding the coast line.

New posts of Additional Director General and three deputy
DGs have also been sanctioned in addition to 20 per cent
increase in ships and 30 per cent increase for shore support,
Antony added.

To improve the intelligence set-up of Coast Guard,
adequate manpower resources would also be given.

Antony said that a new static coastal radar chain under
comprehensive network of intelligence stations along the
entire coastline, including islands would be set up.

"This will be implemented by the shipping, road transport
and highway ministry in coordination with Coast Guard.
Further, communication transponders on vessels below 300
tonnes are also proposed to be installed. This work will be
done by the shipping ministry in coordination with Coast
Guard," Antony said.

"These measures approved by the government are expected
to give a new thrust for strengthening coastal security and
meet the challenges of threats from the sea," he added. PTI