Maritime threats becoming tech-driven: Rajnath 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today said maritime threats were becoming increasingly technology-driven and multi-dimensional and mentioned how advanced technology was needed along with trained manpower to secure the Indian coast line.

The minister was speaking at the Indian Coast Guard Commanders Conference in New Delhi and called for the need for a futuristic roadmap, technology-aided vigilance and indigenous strengthening of maritime security.

The minister said India’s 7,500-km-long coastline, along with island territories of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, pose enormous challenges, requiring advanced technology, well-trained personnel, and round-the-clock surveillance.

He stressed maritime security was not on predictable patterns of smuggling or piracy. New threats include sophisticated operations using GPS spoofing, remote-controlled boats, encrypted communications, drones, satellite phones, and even networks operating on the dark web.

Terrorist organisations exploited modern tools such as digital mapping and real-time intelligence to plan their activities. He said to the Coast Guard commanders that “we must be ahead of criminals and adversaries by integrating artificial intelligence, machine learning-based surveillance, drones, cyber defence systems, and automated response mechanisms into our maritime security framework.

The three-day (September 28 to 30) conference brings together the senior leadership of Coast Guard to deliberate on strategic, operational and administrative priorities in the backdrop of evolving maritime security challenges and the growing strategic significance of the Indian Ocean Region. The Coast Guard operates 152 ships and 78 aircraft.

Since its establishment in 1977, the Coast Guard has apprehended 1,638 foreign vessels and 13,775 foreign fishermen involved in illegal activities within Indian waters. It has also seized 6,430 kilograms of narcotics, valued at Rs. 37,833 crore.