The Hindu : Front Page : Joint task for Navy, Coast Guard

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
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Joint task for Navy, Coast Guard

Arunkumar Bhatt

The Coast Guard's air arm is not covering even the present EEZ, says Antony

— Photo: PTI

FOR A STRONGER FORCE: Defence Minister A.K. Antony inspecting a guard of honour on the silver jubilee of the Coast Guard Aviation wing at Daman on Tuesday.

DAMAN: The Coast Guard and Navy will share the task of protecting and enforcing the laws concerning the soon-to-expand Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Defence Minister A.K. Antony stated this at a function marking the silver jubilee of the Indian Coast Guard's air arm here on Tuesday.

Later, he said at a press conference that the Coast Guard's air arm was not covering even the present EEZ. Therefore, "the Coast Guard, Navy and even marine wings of the police forces of coastal States will work together" to police the maritime zone.

At present, the EEZ extended up to 200 nautical miles into the sea from both coasts of the Indian peninsula and most of the outlying island territories. It covered 2.1 million square miles.

The EEZ was expected to expand further, up to 300 to 350 nautical miles in 2009, when India's claim for the EEZ up to the edge of its continental shelf would be recognised under the UN Convention on Laws of Seas (UNCLOS).

The Coast Guard had 24 Dornier aircraft, 17 Chetak helicopters and four Dhruv (Advanced Light Helicopters), four advanced offshore patrol vessels, nine offshore patrol vessels, 16 fast patrol and 13 inshore patrol vessels, manned by 932 officers and 5,339 sailors.

Inadequate

This force level, he said, was inadequate as the Coast Guard had various responsibilities that included rescue of fishermen and seafarers, pollution control and oil spill response and collection of scientific data.

Mr. Antony said three ships for pollution control would join the force shortly. Infiltration of terrorists through the sea route was perceived to be growing, he pointed out.

The maritime forces would get more sensors, radars and aircraftThe delay in acquisition of equipment for the armed forces was a serious problem because of the history of controversies. But the Defence Ministry was working at eliminating any kind of underhand deals. "We aim at fast modernisation but without compromising transparency."

Mr. Antony said the country would have to depend on foreign suppliers to meet its defence needs for some time. The emphasis was on raising the indigenous component. He cited a recent decision that made it mandatory for 30 per cent indigenous component if the contract value exceeded Rs. 3,000 crore.

Earlier, the Minister inspected a guard of honour. Coast Guard Director General Vice Admiral R.F. Contractor and the Commander of the Coast Guard Region West, Inspector General A. Rajasekhar, accompanied him.

The armed forces had organised a glittering ceremony to mark the occasion. A show of skills by the Army personnel followed. Its skydivers jumped from a Dhruv helicopter from an altitude of 15,000 feet and landed at a pre-determined spot. A Coast Guard team displayed its skill of handling rifles, in what was called, Continuity Drill.

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