The Indian Coast Guard on Monday added more power to its existing fleet with the commissioning of two new Interceptor boats.
The Indian Coast Guard on Monday added more power to its existing fleet with the commissioning of two new Interceptor boats.
Equipped with the latest technology, the boats were commissioned in the force by director general, Indian Coast Guard, Vice Admiral Anil Chopra in the presence of other dignitaries from state and central agencies. The coast guard and the navy have been engaging in action with Somali pirates, and the new boats will further help them take swift action in such operations.
Chopra said: “To face the emerging security challenges in the maritime domain, the coast guard is taking steps to get better equipment and vessels. The force has a fleet of around 75 ships and 45 aircraft. The coast guard will have 42 new stations and 15 air units by 2012. Also, a coastal surveillance network is being established with 46 stations in the first phase and 38 more in the second to ensure real-time coastal surveillance.”
The boats, named C-150 and C-151, will be used for surveillance and search and rescue, anti-smuggling, anti-poaching and anti-piracy operations in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean regions.
They will initially be deployed at Vizhinjam near the Kerala coast and Kakinada near the Andhra Pradesh coast. They are built by the ABG shipyard at Surat. The 28-metre vessels have an endurance of up to 500 nautical miles and thus can be sent for operations on the high seas. They can achieve speeds of up to 45 knots.
The vessels have a 12.7mm Prahari heavy machine gun fitted on them. The aluminum-hulled vessel is propelled by water jets, with the added advantage that it can carry out operations in shallow waters.
The C-150 will be commanded by Commandant (JG) Ashok Kumar, while the C-151 will be commanded by Commandant (JG) RK Sinha. Each vessel will have a crew of around 11 people onboard.
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