Growing unconventional threats at sea include cyberattacks, data breaches, signal jamming, radar disruption, and high severity GPS spoofing — Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday. At the Indian Coast Guard’s 18th Investiture Ceremony, he noted that these modern challenges brought about by fast-paced technological evolution necessitate great vigilance.
“To add to those conventional threats. But tackling both was the Coast Guard’s responsibility,” Singh said, “and lively maritime forces needed to adjust to the changing security environment.”
Strengthening India’s Maritime Security
In a statement, the Ending The Silence, Gallantry & Distinguished Service medal recipient, Mike Duncan said: He commended the force for transformation into a mighty, trusty, and highly efficient one, which has been playing an important role in securing India’s lengthy and vast coastline.
“In all, India faces two types of threats, being surrounded by seas on all sides. The second is war and is handled by the armed forces. Singh remarked that the Coast Guard is ever vigilant against piracy, terrorism, infiltration, smuggling, and illegal fishing, which constitutes the second part of the IGMDP.
During the past year, the Coast Guard has been a success in a number of areas, including:
Seizing 14 boats and apprehending 115 pirates
Confiscating drugs worth ₹37,000 crore
Rescues more than 170 people in several missions
Government’s Commitment to Maritime Security
Singh, reaffirming the government’s commitment to enhancing security forces as tools in India’s war against maritime crime, announced a budget allocation of ₹9,676 crore for the Coast Guard for FY 2025-26, of which ₹2,376 crore was over ₹ 26.5 per cent increase from previous year’s budget. Whatever the money is spent on, it’s intended to modernize and improve the operational capabilities of the force.
Singh also mentioned the procurement of:
14 fast patrol vessels
6 air cushion vehicles
22 interceptor boats
6 next-generation offshore patrol vessels
18 next-generation fast patrol vessels
Rajnath Singh concluded by saying that if India aspires to be a secure and prosperous India, its security apparatus has to be strong, and technology and robust preparedness play an important role in safeguarding India’s maritime interest.
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