New Delhi:
In a significant boost to India’s maritime security, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has finalized a contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) in Bengaluru to procure 149 state-of-the-art Software Defined Radios for the Indian Coast Guard. This deal, valued at Rs 1220.12 crore, falls under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category and was signed on Thursday.
The new radios will facilitate secure, reliable, and high-speed data and voice communication, enhancing the Coast Guard’s capabilities in information sharing, collaboration, and situational awareness. This advancement is expected to strengthen the Coast Guard’s core responsibilities, including maritime law enforcement, search and rescue operations, fisheries protection, and marine environment protection.
According to the MoD, these radios will also improve interoperability during joint operations with the Indian Navy, a crucial aspect for effective maritime security. The project is seen as a strategic move to bolster the Coast Guard’s operational capabilities and aligns with the Government of India’s Blue Economy objectives by reinforcing maritime security.
The contract is part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, aimed at enhancing India’s manufacturing capabilities for advanced military-grade communication systems. This will generate employment opportunities and foster expertise development in the sector.
