Kerala Cluster of Coastal Radar Network

The Marine security network will get a boost with the setting up of a Remote Operating Station (ROS) at Kochi as part of the Coastal Radar Network. This is being developed by Defence Public Sector Undertaking, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the Indian Coast Guard.A Regional Operating Centre (ROC) at Mumbai and Remote Operating Station (ROS) at Porbandar as part of the Coastal Radar Network has also been set up.

The Chain of Static Sensors project being steered by the Indian Coast Guard, finds it's origin in the recommendations made by the Group of Ministers (GoM) on reforming the National Security system post Kargil conflict. After detailed Inter Ministerial Deliberations it was decided that the Indian Coast Guard would implement this ambitious project. In order to define the project requirement for the Phase-I of the project, a detailed vulnerability Gap analysis and feasibility study was undertaken by the Indian Coast Guard along with other stake holders, viz. DGLL, Indian Navy, concerned State Governments etc. Accordingly, the phase-I was conceptualized to provide real­ time surveillance cover upto 25 nautical miles around the areas of high sensitivity and traffic density along our coast line.

 

Post 26/11 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, there was an emergent need to strengthen our Coastal Security apparatus. Accordingly, this project was progressed on a fast track. Considering the Strategic Nature of the Project and with an aim to develop indigenous capabilities in the field, it was decided to implement this project through BEL. The contract for this turnkey project was concluded with BEL, Bangalore in Sep 2011 at a cost of Rs.601.75 Crores with an implementation schedule of 12 months and 18 months for the mainland and the island sites, respectively.

 

The project envisages integration of high end surveillance gadgets viz. Frequency Diversity Radar, Electro Optic sensors (CCD Day Camera, LLTV and Thermal Imagers), VHF sets and Met equipment on lighthouses and masts erected on DGLL land at 36 locations in mainland, 06 locations in Lakshadweep & Minicoy Islands and 04 in Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The data generated by the Static Sensors will flow over a robust hierarchal network architecture, connecting Coast Guard District Headquarters (Regional Operating Stations) and Regional Headquarters (Remote Operating Centers) to Coast Guard Headquarters (Control Center) at New Delhi. The sensor data generated from this network would be further supplemented with the AIS data from the National Automatic Identification System (NAIS) Chain of DGLL/MoS and interfaced with the Vessel Traffic Management Systems of the major ports, Fishing Vessel Monitoring System, Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) and National Command Communication Control and intelligence Network (NC3I) of Indian Navy.

 

The project of Chain of Static Sensors aims at preventing undetected intrusion by monitoring the movement of vessels plying along our coastline. The project would also aid in enhancing the efficacy of Search and Rescue (SAR) operations coordinated by the Coast Guard. The sensor data generated by the Coastal Surveillance Network would also be shared with other maritime agencies via the National Command Communication Control and intelligence Network NC3I network to generate a comprehensive Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA). The project of Chain of Static Sensors, is the first of its kind both in terms of expanse and strategic implications. Despite the inherent complexities of the project, involving multi agency coordination at all levels, the project has progressed as per the stipulated time lines.

 

Upon completion of the Phase-I, it is planned to take up Phase-II of the project, wherein, 38 additional Remote Radar sites would be established. 21 sites of the VTMS Gulf of Kutch and Gulf of Khambhat would also be integrated during the Phase II.

 

During the Phase-II, the Static Radar Chain is also proposed to be supplemented by 08 Mobile Surveillance Systems. Upon integration of the Phase-I and Phase-II, the Chain of Static Sensors would provide near gap free electronic surveillance of the entire Indian coast line upto the 25 nautical miles from the Coast.

 

Courtesy:PIB