A Decade After 26/11, Long-Range Helicopters for Surveillance

New Delhi: The 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks of 2008 only confirmed there were gaps in India’s maritime surveillance capabilities. Better coastal security was imperative and the Centre, shortly afterwards, recognised the need for more planes or helicopters, surface craft and radars.

A decade later, comes a 14 twin-engine heavy helicopter deal for the Coast Guard. The Rs 6,500 crore proposal is now before the Defence Acquisition Council, headed by the Defence Minister and including the three service chiefs.

Given the current requirements, the long-range choppers will be a huge plus for the Coast Guard, top officials said. They have enormous reach; they can be in the air for seven hours at a stretch and can fly from Kochi to Lakshwadeep and back, for example. They will help in surveillance in the fight against terrorism, and to keep a watch on smugglers and narcotics traffickers.

“As they can be in the air for six or seven hours, they can be used to look for suspicious boats entering India’s EEZ (exclusive economic zone). As our EEZ is about 20 lakh square kilometres, these choppers will mean a huge increase in our surveillance capabilities. Then, if they find something, our surface craft can be pressed into service,” a senior Coast Guard official said.

The heavy choppers can also be for search and rescue operations as they can carry 10 stretchers. In case there’s a ship on fire or sinking, they can reach very quickly, their 200 nautical mile reach can ensure they are the first to be there to rescue marooned seamen.

Currently, French, Russian, American and other firms are in the race. A DAC clearance will be a further step in ensuring additional and much-needed surveillance capabilities for the Coast Guard. And it must be remembered that the Mumbai terror attack happened over 10 years ago.

Despite intelligence warnings about an attack from the sea, not to speak of details about hotels in a big city on the west coast being targeted, the boat carrying Ajmal Kasab and nine other Pakistan-trained terrorists could not be found. The result was the catastrophe of 26/11 and now, steps to plug the gaps are being taken.

Source: TNN

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