News reported that in order to beef up the costal security apparatus, the Ministry of Defence has announced to purchase fast patrol vessels, speed boats and is intending to double the surveillance aircraft of the Coast Guard. The government has taken into consideration to take 12 twin-engine helicopter offered by the US Coast Guard. Besides this, the government is of the mind to purchase 80 fast interception vessels and strengthen its 1000 strong “Sagar Prahari Bal”. The Coast Guard has also been given go-ahead to purchase 12 Dornier aircraft. The Coast Guard also intends to acquire radars and for the same its Director-general of Coast Guard had visited France1.

• 1. Defence Ministry beefing up coastal security apparatus”, The Hindu, June 7, 2009, New Delhi