India’s largest patrol ship to defend oil rigs, coast

[Capt.Popeye]

i hope this is only temporoary until the ICG is expanded to a level where it can alone sufficiently protect the Indian coast and thus the IN can return to power projection and external tasks. Hopefuly by 2022 the ICG will be in a postion to take over this responsibility- going by their own force projections it would seem they will be large enough and capable enough by then.




Missile boats have limited utility in a conventional naval conflict- the need of the decade (post 26/11) is patrol boats for IN and ICG to ward off outsiders.

@Abingdonboy
There is a difference between the Operational Mandates of the IN and ICG. Just as there is a difference between the operational areas assigned to them. To explain it a little simply, it is like the difference between the IA and the BSF. The ICG is not a fighting force. Its duties range from policing to contraband control to pollution control to SAR and damage control/salvage in the coastal areas. Mainly economic in nature.
Oilfield defence in contrast is considered to be protection of Strategic Assets. this has been and will remain with the IN.

 

[arp2041]

i hope this is only temporoary until the ICG is expanded to a level where it can alone sufficiently protect the Indian coast and thus the IN can return to power projection and external tasks. Hopefuly by 2022 the ICG will be in a postion to take over this responsibility- going by their own force projections it would seem they will be large enough and capable enough by then.

No, you din't got it, after 26/11, GOI had decided for a change in the maritime security apparatus of India, which was made of 3 tiers, first of IN, second ICG & third coastal/marine police & the entire command of maritime security of India was given to IN i.e. ICG & coastal police came under IN. The Job of the three forces are pretty well define (divided into zones):

Coastal Police - Patrol the shores of India.
ICG - Patrol the coastal waters & EEZ of India (200 nm from shores).
IN - Projects power & is used as a diplomatic tool beyond 200 nm.

Though some no. of IN ships are used for patrolling India's EEZ.

Important thing is that since IN has more experience, it was the best choice to be given the job of overall security of India's maritime area. ICG & Coastal Police though are somewhat autonomous forces still takes orders from IN.

+ I would like to have a thread on ICG current strength & future expansion plans, this is the area which we haven't discussed till now, maybe sometime in coming days.

 

[Abingdonboy]

@Abingdonboy
There is a difference between the Operational Mandates of the IN and ICG. Just as there is a difference between the operational areas assigned to them. To explain it a little simply, it is like the difference between the IA and the BSF. The ICG is not a fighting force. Its duties range from policing to contraband control to pollution control to SAR and damage control/salvage in the coastal areas. Mainly economic in nature.
Oilfield defence in contrast is considered to be protection of Strategic Assets. this has been and will remain with the IN.

Like you say the difference is like IA and BSF. The IA is an offensive force tasked with taking care external threats whilst the BSF is inherently a defensive force. Simiarly the IN is an offensive force and the ICG is a defensive force. It is not that the IN is the only force capable of defending India from 26/11 attacks- this is very much what the ICG is for and should be doing by itself. The IN has no place being used as a coastal protection agency.

 

[Capt.Popeye]

Like you say the difference is like IA and BSF. The IA is an offensive force tasked with taking care external threats whilst the BSF is inherently a defensive force. Simiarly the IN is an offensive force and the ICG is a defensive force. It is not that the IN is the only force capable of defending India from 26/11 attacks- this is very much what the ICG is for and should be doing by itself. The IN has no place being used as a coastal protection agency.

The ICG is more of a police force.
Offshore areas (Oil and Gas fields) regardless of the geographical location or distance (in some cases: 15-20 nm) are protected by the IN. And will continue that way. Does that make the IN a coastal protection agency?

 

[Rajaraja Chola]

I believe the role of ICG is to protect the seas upto 8 naval miles from coast?
It has to also block smugglers on the coastal areas.

 

[Abingdonboy]

I believe the role of ICG is to protect the seas upto 8 naval miles from coast?
It has to also block smugglers on the coastal areas.

I thought it was 200nm?

 

[arp2041]

I thought it was 200nm?

Buddy, from coast to 12nm it's the territorial waters of a country & beyond that till 200nm it's the country's EEZ. ICG is responsible for guarding both territorial waters as well as EEZ of India.

 

[notsuperstitious]

This is from coast guard website

The Coast Guard is the principal agency for enforcement of provisions of all national enactment in force in the maritime zones of India and provides following services to the Nation and marine community.

Ensuring safety and protection of the artificial islands, offshore installations and other structure in our maritime zones.
Providing protection to fishermen and assistance to them at sea while in distress.
Preservation and protection of our maritime environment including prevention and control of maritime pollution.
Assistance to the Department of Custom and other authorities in anti-smuggling operations.
Enforcement of MZI Acts.
Initiating measures for the safety of life and property at sea.

 

[surya kiran]

Like you say the difference is like IA and BSF. The IA is an offensive force tasked with taking care external threats whilst the BSF is inherently a defensive force. Simiarly the IN is an offensive force and the ICG is a defensive force. It is not that the IN is the only force capable of defending India from 26/11 attacks- this is very much what the ICG is for and should be doing by itself. The IN has no place being used as a coastal protection agency.

BSF cannot technically/legally be compared to the ICGS. Primary reason being ICGS comes under MoD and not under MoH like BSF. Hence, ICGS is defined as an armed force, while the BSF is a para-military force.

ICGS, is part CISF (protection of Indian assets), IPS (enforcement of Indian law) and BSF (guarding the coast) roled into one. The other functions will be in co-ordination with other agencies like customs, revenue etc. But since, it comes under the MoD and not MoH its an armed force.