India’s water front security During the current year, a total of 14 Pakistani fishing boats with 109 Pakistani crew have been apprehended by Coast Guard whilst fishing in Indian waters for violation under MZI Act 1981. The apprehended fishing boats along with crew had been handed over to local police at designated port ‘Okha’. This is a routine activity between India and neighboring countries
India’s internal security got a jerk when Parliament was attacked by the terrorist. India’s Security agencies were shaken when Mumbai serial bomb attack took place. The sea route were used for bringing the explosives and devices. Again financial capital was a target by the terrorist using sea lane. India is having 7500 kms. of coast line,13 major and 180 minor ports. India's Maritime Geography India is singularly blessed in terms of maritime geography. We have unimpeded access to the Indian Ocean on both our coasts besides two advantageously Influencing Operations Ashore .The Maritime Military Strategy recognises that the use of maritime power to influence operations ashore is a primary, and not a subsidiary, role of maritime force employment. This could be undertaken through commodity denial or by directly supporting the land campaign through the delivery of ordnance by naval platforms or amphibious and/or expeditionary capabilities Growing Sea Dependence Among other factors, India's economic resurgence is directly linked to her overseas trade and energy needs, most of which are transported by sea. The Maritime Military Strategy draws a clear linkage between our economic prosperity and our naval capability, which will protect the nation's vast and varied maritime interests. The primary task of the Indian Navy towards national security is, therefore, to provide insulation from external interference, so that the vital tasks of fostering economic growth and undertaking developmental activities can take place in a secure environment. Government has accorded top priority for beefing up coastal security. Joint and operational exercises are taking place between Navy, Coast Guard, Coastal Police and Customs in order to check the effectiveness of the new systems.
Central Government is funding coastal States / Union Territories through coastal security scheme for operationalisation of Coastal Police stations, patrol boats etc for coastal security. IndianCoast Guard has also trained 1515 state police personnel.
After Mumbai terrorist attacks, Government had announced that the Navy would get 80 fast interceptor boats for a new specialized force ‘Sagar Prahari Bal’ with 1000 personnel. With a view to strengthening coastal security and surveillance, Government has approved ‘Sagar Prahari Bal’ in the Indian Navy, comprising of 1000 personnel with 80 fast attack crafts. Navy will carry out shallow water operations by day and night for seaward anti-terrorist patrols for security for naval assets, besides interception at high speeds and perform search and rescue operations.
The Government has approved setting up of twelve additional Coast Guard Stations in the country including two stations at Nizampatnam and Krishnapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. Appropriate steps have been taken for strengthening coastal surveillance and security, including installation of radars.
This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in separate written replies to the members of Rajya Sabha
India had joint naval exercises in Indian Ocean with great navies of the world, they are US, French, Royal Navy of UK, Japanese. An Indian Navy Task Group, led by the destroyer-INS Delhi, along with frigates INS Beas and INS Brahmaputra, and the tanker INS Aditya reach Portsmouth on last June for Exercise KONKAN with the Royal Navy. The task group under the command of Rear Admiral Surinder Pal Singh Cheema, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet.
Exercise KONKAN is an annual exercise between Indian and Royal Navies, conducted with the aim of building maritime inter-operability and mutual understanding. So far, four such exercises have been conducted since 2004. KONKAN-09 is the first conducted in UK waters.
UK participants, commanded by Commodore Simon Ancona, include the frigates HMS Westminster and HMS Lancaster, the nuclear powered submarine HMS Trafalgar, the auxiliaries RFAMountsBay and RFA Fort Rosalie and an RAF Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft. A team of Indian Navy divers also conducted Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) training with the Plymouth-based Southern Diving Group.
‘Op SUKOON’ – Making ‘Sweet Music’ : 24 July 2006 The largest post-Independence civilian-evacuation operation undertaken by the Indian Navy, at Beirut, Lebanon, with four Indian Naval Ships — Mumbai, Brahmaputra, Betwa and Shakti, all under the tactical command of Rear Admiral Anup Singh, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet, evacuated about total of 1495 stranded Indian, Nepalese, Sri Lankan and Lebanese nationals. This multi-national character of the Indian Naval ‘lift’, nicknamed ‘Operation SUKOON’ (meaning peace-and-tranquillity) is in itself somewhat unique, as while the Indian Navy is certainly not the only navy engaged in what is known as ‘non-combatant evacuation operations’, the other navies are, for the most part, evacuating only their own nationals and not those of any other country. The Indian designed- and-built warships INS Mumbai (a guided-missile Destroyer), INS Brahmaputraand INS Betwa (both guided-missile Frigates) and brought to the safety of the port of Larnaca, in southeast Lebanon. As was the case in the aftermath of the devastating Tsunami of December 2004, and, more recently, in the provision of relief-material by ships of the Indian Navy to the victims of the earthquake that struck Indonesia in May 2006, the Indian Navy has risen to the occasion with its uniquely Indian blend of speed, professionalism, panache, and, humaneness. These humanitarian operations offer vindication (if any was ever needed) of the Indian Navy’s current policy of vibrant and progressive regional engagement Infrastructure As per Commodore Chandra Shekha Azad, Naval Officer -in- Charge West Bengal Indian Ships are of 85% indigenous made mostly by Garden Reach Ship Builders, Kolkata and Goa Ship Yards This was stated at a press briefing at Navy House on 1st December. The significant achievements of Defence production units during the year to Refit/GRDD of four naval ships, INS-Brahmaputra, INS-Tilanchang, INS-Tarmugil and INS-Tarasa was completed. References http://pib.nic.in/release/press_rel.asp http://mod.nic.in/ http://mod.nic.in/product&supp/welcome.html http://www.goashipyard.co.in/index.asp Contributor : From Major Sushanta Kumar De (TA Released) C 2/8, Karunamoyee Housing Estate, SaltLake Sector II, Kolkata 700091 E mail : youthforum2k@yahoo.com Mobile no 9874764732
