The government has OKed the acquisition of six new offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) that will be added to the Coast Guard fleet. The total value of the vessels is about Rs 1,800 crore.
The new vessels will be over 100-metres long and equipped with helicopter decks. The will all be constructed by defense PSU Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), according to The Times of India.
The Coast Guard plans to increase the number of its forces to about 200 ships and 100 aircrafts by 2018. The security forces are still working with only about 100 surface and 45 air units, which include 24 Dornier, 17 Chetak helicopters and 4 advanced light helicopters. This is the current protection of the 5,422-km coastline of India, 1,197 islands and 2.01 million sq km of Exclusive Economic Zone.
Also over 500 PGMs (precision guided munitions) will be acquired from Israel to arm the fighter jets.
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Shipbuilding Tribune Staff, April 17, 2012; Image: indiancoastguard