Two-day Sagar Kavach drill begins today

            In order to test the maritime security capabilities of Indian Armed forces , a two-day extensive multi-agency drill code-named 'Sagar Kavach (Sea Shield) ', will begin on April 11 off the coast of Goa. "The objective of this exercise is to provide seamless seaward defensive cover along the Goa coast and is exercised jointly by all security agencies including Indian Navy, Coast Guard, state marine police, customs, fisheries, port authorities and other central and state departments from the coastal belt area line to the limit of territorial waters, that is 12 nautical miles," stated a press note issued by the police. The major exercise will also involve Lifeguards of Drishti agency on Goa's beaches .
             In the exercise, intelligence and infiltration will be induced and the alertness and preparedness of all the stake holders, including the general public, will be tested. "The exercise will also assess the effectiveness of coastal fishing community in serving as 'eyes and ears' for early warning of a seaward threat," the police said.

Indian Coast Guard activates 'air enclave' in Bhubaneswar

         The Coast Guard on Wednesday activated the first 'air enclave' here to provide security to Odisha's coast and the exclusive economic zones.
         An offshore patrol vessel has been based at Paradip and two interceptor crafts will join the fleet in the future to ensure increased operational capability in the coastal areas of West Bengal and Odisha.
        The enclave will provide support to recently inducted Coast Guard surveillance Dornier aircrafts equipped with advanced and sophisticated navigational and communication sensors and equipment for response to pollution, search and rescue, maritime reconnaissance and for coastal security.
        "The current month is a very special one. The Coast Guard is going to commission seven ships including an offshore patrol vessel, two fast patrol vessels, three interceptor boats and one air cushion vessel in addition to the activation of the air enclave," financial advisor, indian defence accounts service, Priti Mohanty, said. 
          Stating that Indian Coast Guard has embarked on a major expansion plan and is undergoing exponential growth, Mohanty said the activation of air enclave Bhubaneswar, the first Coast Guard air establishment in Odisha, is one more step in this direction. 
        The Coast Guard has identified Odisha as an important maritime state with a long coastline and rich maritime traditions and history of such trade with south-east Asia. 
        "To further this tradition we are developing ports like Dhamra and Gopalpur in accordance with the government's 'Look East' policy," she said, adding that Odisha has the potential of becoming one of the most important trade destinations on the country's east coast. 
          The activation of this air enclave is also a part of Coast Guard's plan to strengthen and modernise its infrastructure to support operations which includes commissioning of ICGS Gopalpur recently.                    
          Setting up the air enclave will fulfill the requirement of air surveillance off the Odisha coast right up to the limits of the exclusive economic zone, she said.

AgustaWestland submits bids for two military chopper tenders amid fear of being blacklisted.

      Notwithstanding the prospect of being blacklisted over the VVIP chopper scam, Anglo-Italian firm AgustaWestland has submitted its bid for two military tenders to supply helicopters to the Navy and the Coast Guard. The firm has submitted its response to Indian Navy's tender for procuring 56 naval utility helicopters and Coast Guard's Request for Proposal (RFP) for buying 14 medium-lift choppers, defence sources said.
      The Navy is planning to procure these twin-engine light choppers to replace its fleet of vintage Cheetah/Chetak helicopters which are operated from warships and air bases of the force.
       In the Coast Guard tender, two other companies, including American Sikorsky and Eurocopter, have also submitted their bids along the Anglo-Italian firm in response to the RFP last week. The Coast guard, which has a fleet of Cheetah/Chetak and ALH Dhruv helicopters, is strengthening its rotary wing aerial surveillance capabilities after the 2008 Mumbai attacks and is in the process of acquiring several light and medium weight surveillance choppers.