Defence minister to review coastguard fleet on Feb 18 off Goa

Panaji, Feb 14 (UNI) Union Defence Minister A K Antony will witness the prowess of the Indian Coast Guard in defending the maritime borders of the country at the impressive fleet review session, for the first time off Goa in the Arabian Sea, on February 18.

''As many as 15 ships of all classes and 11 aircraft besides a hovercraft will showcase their might in the review exercises lasting for about four hours. The event in presence of the Defence minister is expected to motivate our jawans and officers,'' Coast Guard's Westren region commander Inspector General A Rajasekhar said.

Briefing mediapersons on the fleet review event at the coastguard's Vasco base in South Goa, Mr Rajasekhar, in presence of Goa Area Commander M J Dangi (DIG), said it was for the second time that such a review will be taking place in the country.

The first such event was organised off Chennai coast in presence of the then defence minister George Fernandes on February 7, 2003.

Such reviews will further motivate the jawans besides strengthening the fleet to meet future challenges, he said.

The minister will be familiarised with the concepts of ''operational readiness, workmanship and inter-operability'' of the coast guard fleet which had been engaged in not only defending the vast maritime borders of the country but protecting the endangered species, checking smuggling overseas besides rescuing and searching for the missing.

UNI