Indian Navy’s coastal patrol force commences training
11 Jan 2010
New Delhi: The Indian Navy has begun training the first batch of the Sagar Prahari Bal (SPB), a coastal patrol force whose formation was announced in the aftermath of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, an official said.
''The training for the first batch commenced today (Monday) at the Naval Gunnery School INS Dronacharya,'' an Indian Navy spokesperson said. The school is located at southern Indian port city of Kochi.
The three-week course would be conducted every six months.
The first batch will comprise of 15 officers and 100 men.
Eventually, the force is expected to comprise of 120 officers and 1,000 men and will be equipped with 80 Fast Interception Craft (FIC).
Its charter of duties shall include coastal protection, seaward security of coastal and offshore naval assets, assistance to civil agencies and ensuring compliance of maritime regulations.