The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is set to strengthen its maritime capabilities along the Western Seaboard by significantly increasing its assets, as disclosed by Director General Rakesh Pal.

Naval Power of ICG In Arabian Sea

Presently equipped with 157 ships and about 78 aircraft, the ICG plans to raise these numbers to 200 ships and 100 aircraft by the end of 2025 or early 2026, pending the finalisation of a deal with Mazagon Dock within the next month.

Expansion Plans For Enhanced Maritime Vigilance

“To overcome all the challenges, the Indian Coast Guard is adding many ships and aircraft to its fleet. With the current ship count of 157 and about 78 aircraft, the number will likely increase to 200 ships and 100 aircraft by the end of 2025 or early 2026, after we sign a deal with the Mazagon Dock within the next one month,” DG Pal said.

The DGl further underlined the strategic importance of this augmentation, especially given the context of security challenges in the region.

Strategic Alignment And Regional Comparison

Notably, according to the Global Fire Power Ranking, India’s primary naval rival in the western seaboard, Pakistan, possesses a total of 114 assets.

The ICG’s expansion intent also aligns with the Defence Minister’s broader vision to facilitate the transition of the Indian Navy into a blue water navy capable of operating on a larger scale beyond India’s coastlines.

15^th Capacity Building Senior Officers’ Meeting

Concurrently, the ICG hosted the 15^th Capacity Building Senior Officers’ Meeting (CBSOM-2023) in Gujarat, on December 12. This meeting, held from December 11 to 15, 2023, aimed at strengthening international and regional cooperation to combat maritime piracy. DG Rakesh Pal, serving as the designated Indian Governor to the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia, inaugurated the four-day meeting.

The event witnessed the participation of 19 international delegates from 15 countries, alongside representatives from the Indian Navy, major ports, State Maritime Boards, Directorate General of Shipping, and other maritime organisations.

About Indian Coast Guard

•ICG was established in August 1978 by the Coast Guard Act, 1978 as an independent Armed force of India.

•As the fourth largest Coast Guard in the world, it has played a significant role in securing the Indian coasts and enforcing regulations in the maritime zones of India.

•It is an Armed Force, Search and Rescue and Maritime Law Enforcement agency under the Ministry of Defence.

•It is headquartered in New Delhi.

•The concept of forming ICG came into being after the 1971 war.

•The blueprint for a multidimensional Coast Guard was conceived by the visionary Rustamji Committee.

Officer Ranks