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Forces conduct exercise along west coast

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The Indian armed forces are conducting a joint annual exercise to enhance the preparedness for an attack from the sea.

The security organisations involved in the exercise include Indian Navy, Coast Guard, Indian Air Force and state agencies including the Coastal Police. "On the occasion of the 6th anniversary of the Mumbai terror attacks, over 30 ships and submarines and aircraft of the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Coast Guard and state agencies have been deployed for this exercise off the western coast. During this exercise, the defence of the offshore oil production areas will also be tested. This exercise will provide an opportunity to fine tune Standard Operating Procedures and test new operational concepts for coastal security," reads a statement of Indian Navy.

This five-day long programme has been titled 'Defence of Gujarat Exercise'.

Commander Rahul Sinha, spokesperson of defence, said, "Since 2008, coastal and maritime security has been strengthened substantially by successful implementation of technical, organisational and procedural initiatives, by all maritime security agencies. Plugging gaps, where identified, is a continuous process that is being addressed appropriately."

Ever since the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai, several measures have been undertaken to tighten coastal security.

Apart from continuous patrolling of the seas, a coastal surveillance machinery too have been installed. This includes a chain of 74 Automatic Identification System (AIS) receivers for gap-less cover along the entire coast. This is complemented by a chain of overlapping 46 coastal radars in the coastal areas of our mainland and islands. However, gaps are still there as some areas were left out during the initial phase. Therefore, currently, these gaps are being plugged in some places.

Also, Distress Alert Transmitter (DAT) and Radio Beacon too has become mandatory for fishermen to carry along while sailing. However, still a couple of lakh fishing vessels are yet to get equipped with this portable machine. For an agency like Coast Guard non-mechanised fishing vessels are a reason for worry because they aren't even equipped with basic wireless radio for communication with the mainland.

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