Article Posted on : - May 13, 2011

NEW DELHI (PTI): To improve coordination among agencies involved in maritime security, Indian Navy has operationalised Joint Operation Centres at its three Naval Commands and in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

It has also put in place Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to conduct joint maritime drills.

"JOCs have been established at Western, Eastern and Southern Naval Commands and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Navy has also issued a set of SOPs to coordinate with Indian Coast Guards (ICG) and other stake holders in maritime security," Defence Ministry officials said here.

On May 10, Defence Minister A K Antony reviewed the coastal security and was briefed by Navy Chief Admiral Nirmal Verma on the steps taken to secure the coastline.

The security review was attended by Director General of ICG Vice Admiral Anil Chopra, Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar and Secretary Defence Production R K Singh.

Antony was further briefed on patrolling of coastal areas by the Navy and ICG, formation of Sagar Prahari Bal, deployment of Fast Interceptor Crafts and the set up of National Command Control Communication and Intelligence Network to cover the national coastline.

"The National Command Control Communication and Intelligence Network would be completed by next year. The procurement of Interceptor Crafts is on schedule," officials said.

Vice Admiral Chopra briefed Antony on procurement of assets by the ICG.

"Since 2009, ICG has contracted more than 100 different platforms – ships, patrol vessels and boats – and 16 Dornier aircraft," officials said.

"Twelve Dorniers aircraft and two Chetak helicopters are under construction while nine interceptor boats, four Dorniers and two Chetaks have been inducted into the service," they added.

Acquisition of 30 twin-engine helicopters is also in pipeline, they said.

While nine ICG stations have been established since 2009, 20 more have been sanctioned by the Ministry which would be set up across the coastline.

Chopra further informed on sanction of 10 air-units for the force out of which three have been established.

Expressing satisfaction over the security measures, Antony asked Navy and Coast Guard officers to give top priority to the coastal security.