Coast Guard adds 4th Dornier to its aircraft fleet

To enhance its maritime surveillance capability over the coastal region in West Bengal and Odisha, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) North East Region on July 31 inducted a fourth Dornier aircraft under its operational air enclave in Kolkata. This is the fourth Dornier aircraft to be inducted into the enclave operated by the 700 Squadron of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). The enclave operates from the Netaji Subhas International Airport in Kolkata. This was the first ICG air squadron in the country.

Air operations by the Coast Guard began three decades ago with the 700 ICGS squadron. With this induction, the Coast Guard will have 38 aircraft in its squadrons across the country. The aircraft is equipped with state-of-the-art sensors. If the need arises, it can also be armed. This aircraft will add more teeth to our efforts to ensure security along the country’s eastern coastline. These measures are being taken to prevent entry of suspicious vessels in Indian waters. The need for monitoring has gone up after the Mumbai strike, an official said.

With intelligence inputs referring to a possible terror strike along the country’s eastern coast, security has been strengthened in the Bay of Bengal. Radar stations are being set up at Sagar Island and Haldia.