India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has commissioned three ships into the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) - Sachet, C-450, and C-451.
With the recent move, the world's fourth largest coastal force now has 150 ships and 62 aircraft to guard a 7,516 km coastline.
Sachet, a 105-metre ship designed to carry a twin-engine helicopter, displaces approximately 2,350 tons and is propelled by two 9,100 KW diesel engines. It is also designed to attain a maximum speed of 26 knots with an endurance of 6,000 nm.
#ICG ships Sachet, C-450 & C-451 commissioned to date 15 May 2020 at Goa by Raksha Mantri @rajnathsingh through Video Conferencing in presence of Raksha Rajya Mantri @shripadynaik, @drajaykumar_ias, Def Secy, #ICG DG K Natarajan, CMD M/s GSL and other dignitaries of MoD. pic.twitter.com/kk43wd00dN
— Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) May 15, 2020
While hailing the commissioning of ships as an important milestone in the coastal capability-building process, Rajnath Singh said that these surface vessels will strengthen the power of the ICG against maritime terrorism, drug trafficking, smuggling, enhance maritime law enforcement and search and rescue operations.
Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh will commission three @IndiaCoastGuard ship and boats on a short while from now. pic.twitter.com/sbPcgt34UG
— रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) May 15, 2020
Terming the oceans as lifelines for global prosperity, the minister said “India is an emerging maritime power and our prosperity is dependent on the oceans”.
“The seas can be routes for asymmetric threats by Anti-National Elements and therefore demand collaborative and cooperative approach amongst all stakeholders”, Rajnath Singh said while adding that the Indian Coast Guard continues to work with their resolve to guard sea shores 24/7 with great determination
India has been on high alert to protect the 7,516.6 km coastline from infiltration attempts from Pakistan-based terror groups. Indian Navy chief Admiral Karambir Singh has noted time and again the ensuing threats on the coastline, while mentioning the intelligence inputs on attempts of the banned terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) to carry out a seaborne attack on India.
The Indian Coast Guard deploys at least 50 ships at sea every day and due to high maintenance costs, the force is working under severe financial strain. As per the annual budget for 2021, the Indian Coast Guard has received only $670 million against the projected requirement of $1.1 billion.
