Nine helicopters, six C-295 military transport aircraft, and maritime surveillance aircraft are scheduled to be acquired by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). Director-General Rakesh Pal disclosed the acquisition plan during a meeting regarding the 25th National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan. #Watch | Visuals from the 9th National Pollution Response Exercise (NATPOLREX) in the Gulf of Kutch off Vadinar coast near Jamnagar Read more here: https://t.co/8qwofl9NUF pic.twitter.com/C265p4OrHy — The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) November 26, 2023Video Credit: The Indian ExpressThe ICG’s acquisition plan aims to replace the old fleet of Chetak helicopters with Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs) and pollution response vessels. As part of its modernisation drive, the ICG is also building pollution response vessels, which should be delivered by 2025. The Director-General emphasised the value of the biennial National Pollution Response Exercise (NATPOLREX), which evaluates the ICG’s readiness for oil spill incidents.

Source: Indian Express November 27, 2023 12:36 UTC