Rare Israeli dogs to protect PM, VVIPs

NEW DELHI:With the elite security force SPG already acquiring a set of rare breed of dogs from Israel that are specially trained in sniffing explosives and are also capable of taking down armed suspects, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has directed the Ministries of Home and Defence to work out a common proposal for sourcing such sniffers, upgrading the training facilities and other technology.

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 12

With the elite security force SPG already acquiring a set of rare breed of dogs from Israel that are specially trained in sniffing explosives and are also capable of taking down armed suspects, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has directed the Ministries of Home and Defence to work out a common proposal for sourcing such sniffers, upgrading the training facilities and other technology.

The move is seen as a result of the growing strategic ties between India and Israel, where New Delhi appears to be proactive in not only learning and upgrading its security skills, but also intends to procure gadgets and weaponries.

The newly acquired dogs will help improve the ability of SPG, which is specially raised to protect the PM, ex-PMs and their families. Talks are also on between the two countries for sensor-based sanitisation of venues being visited by the VVIPs, who get the SPG security cover.

Sources said negotiations are also underway to upgrade all the 3,000-4,000 dogs engaged by the Central paramilitary and defence forces under a 10-year technology upgrade programme to match the capability level of SPG canines. The PMO has asked the ministries of Home and Defence to formulate a common proposal citing requirements of the dogs, upgrade of training infrastructure and other technology, they added.

Israel has also helped in upgrading ITBP dog training centre to train 25 SPG dogs every four months. Thirty dogs have been inducted. The canines and technological gadgets for their upkeep and upgrade of the ITBP facility near Chandigarh has cost Rs 150 crore. Equipment has been procured to regularly test the saliva of canines to estimate their operational efficiency by analysing health parameters.

Collar sensors to detect suspicious movement

The dogs from Israel will have a collar sensor and they will secure the area from any suspicious material or individual and relay data to a mobile control unit
This will help in cases when a VVIP wants to visit a place at a short notice and the Blue Book cannot be followed
Sources say negotiations are underway to upgrade all the 3,000-4,000 dogs engaged by the Central paramilitary and defence forces to match the capability level of SPG canines