Slamming the government for the "slow progress" of acquisition for the Coast Guard even after the 26/11 attacks, a Parliamentary panel today said there are "huge gaps" between the required and existing force levels of the maritime force.
In the report of the Standing Committee on Defence about the performance of Coast Guard, it was revealed that a large number of gadgets, aircraft and helicopters of the force are "lying non-operational for a long time" and their repair work seems to be a "slow process".
"The Committee takes serious note of the huge gaps between the existing and the required force level as well as the slow progress of acquisition of the force level in Coast Guard," it said.
"Not only whatever limited capacity of force level the Coast Guard possesses, is not fully operational...
"We would like to emphasise that with the increased perceived threat levels from various quarters, the country cannot afford delay and shifting of deadlines in respect of acquisition of various types of force level," it said.
After the 26/11 terror attacks on Mumbai in 2008, the government has laid more stress on modernising the maritime force for tackling terrorist threats emanating from the sea routes.
The report said the "assessed required of ships (in 2007-08) was 154 ships and 93 boats while the Indian Coast guard at present only has 45 ships and 27 boats.
"Listing the non-operational assets of the force, the Committee said out of the fleet of 28 Dornier aircraft and 20 Cheetah helicopters of the force, "one-fourth is undergoing major servicing and repairs.
"The Super Rapid Gun Mounting installed on board ICG ships Samar, Sangram are not working since 2006 and 2009 respectively."
The Committee asked the Defence Ministry to furnish reasons for such a large number of aircraft going non- operational.
