Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday put a spotlight on emerging unconventional threats at sea including cyber attacks, data breaches, signal jamming, radar disruption, and GPS spoofing, asking the navy and the coast guard to stay alert to the challenges stemming from swift technological advancements.
“These challenges are in addition to the conventional threats. The coast guard must stay vigilant to tackle both threats,” Singh said at the Indian Coast Guard’s 18th investiture ceremony. “For years, all of you have stayed alert to eliminating the conventional threats. But as times change, we are now facing challenges of a different kind. In this era of technological advancement, we are facing unconventional challenges.”
Singh, who presented 32 medals for gallantry and distinguished service, touched upon the coast guard’s transformation into “a formidable, trustworthy, and one of the most efficient marine forces in the world”.
“India is surrounded by seas on three sides and its coastline is vast. The nation’s security faces two types of threats. The first is war which is dealt with by the armed forces, and the second includes the challenges of piracy, terrorism, infiltration, smuggling, and illegal fishing for which the marine forces, especially the coast guard, are always alert,” he said.
During the last year, the coast guard has seized 14 boats and apprehended 115 pirates, seized drugs worth ₹37,000 crore, and saved around 170 lives in a raft of rescue operations.
{{/usCountry}}During the last year, the coast guard has seized 14 boats and apprehended 115 pirates, seized drugs worth ₹37,000 crore, and saved around 170 lives in a raft of rescue operations.
{{/usCountry}}Singh said that the vision of a secure and prosperous India can only be realised if its security apparatus is robust. He added the government was committed to strengthening the capabilities of the coast guard. “The coast guard has been allocated ₹9,676 crore for the financial year 2025-26, which is 26.5% more than the previous year’s budget. It is a crucial step towards modernising the coast guard. Also, the procurement of 14 fast patrol vessels, six air cushion vehicles, 22 interceptor boats, six next-generation offshore patrol vessels, and 18 next-generation fast patrol vessels have been approved to make the coast guard stronger.”