troubled waters ENERGISING COASTAL SECURITY

Cmde Sujeet Samaddar, Case For A NM (Retd) Territorial Navy The Indian coastline of 7516 kms has been open to various man-made and natural threats ranging from terrorism to The writer retired as the tsunamis. The Government has taken the initiative to Principal Director Naval bolster the coastal security by financing fairly sophisticated Plans. He served NOVA Integrated Systems – A equipment, machinery and weapons. Most of this equipment, TATA Enterprise as Vice except for the ’s , is operated President (Operations) until October 2011. by marine police and the other agencies where the necessary He has worked as the training, expertise and maintenance infrastructure is Director and CEO, ShinMaywa Industries missing. Creating and even duplicating these Limited. organisations would be an avoidable expenditure.

Territorial Army was raised in 1920 through when required.’ A recent advertisement for enrolment the Indian Territorial Act of 1920. This force into the TA seeks applicants from ‘gainfully employed comprised of ‘The Auxiliary Force’ for the young men for an opportunity of donning the uniform and Europeans and the Anglo-Indians; and ‘The serving the nation as Officers, based on AIndian Territorial Force’ for the Indian Volunteers. After the concept of enabling motivated young men to serve in the Independence, the Territorial Army Act was passed in a military environment without having to sacrifice their 1948 and the Territorial Army was formally inaugurated primary professions. You can serve the nation in two by the first Indian Governor General C Rajagopalachari capacities – as a civilian and as a soldier’. The concept is on 9 October 1949. The Territorial Army (TA) is part of the to have a second line of trained manpower that can assist regular Army and its present role is ‘to relieve the regular the in securing rear area static organisations, Army from static duties and assist the civil administration provide logistics, engineering and communications, rear in dealing with natural calamities and maintenance echelon support whilst the regular Army is operationally of essential services in situations where the life of the deployed at the frontiers. As a concept, it also inculcates communities is affected or the security of the country is discipline, fitness and military values in ordinary citizens threatened and to provide units for regular Army as and in the service of the nation.

December 2016 Defence AND security alert 31 troubled waters ENERGISING COASTAL SECURITY

and the setting up of a Remote Operating Station (ROS) at and Porbandar and the Regional Operating Centre (ROC) at have been undertaken. Post operationalisation of the coastal surveillance network near gap free electronic surveillance of upto 25 nautical miles from the Coast would become feasible. • Installation of Vessel and Air Traffic Management System for all offshore development areas by the Ministry of Petroleum supported with the Immediate Support Vessels (ISV) for offshore security by the Ministry of Petroleum and the Indian Navy. A financial outlay of` 1579.91 crore was provided for the next phase of the Coastal Security Scheme and this is due for completion in FY 2015-16. With this, another 131 Marine Police Stations, 60 jetties, This seeks to provide broad inputs for 10 marine operation centres, 180 (12 Ton) boats, 35 RIBs (Rigid Inflatable Boats), 10 large vessels the formation of a Territorial Navy (A&N), 131 Jeeps and 242 motorcycles would be which would supplement the Navy added to the coastal security infrastructure. and the Adequate Technical Manpower From the foregoing, it is evident that substantial This article proposes that the time is ripe for the investment and efforts have been made towards creation of a Territorial Navy on similar lines as the building credible and deterrent security architecture Territorial Army to meet coastal security and gain several to secure India’s coastal frontier. The worrisome issue advantages as enumerated in the following paragraphs. is whether these expensive assets are professionally Post Mumbai developments and in the recent past, a manned to maximiseoperationalising of the assets slew of measures have been initiated towards improving and infrastructure to derive the best benefit of the coastal security. These include various measures for investments. The following points are relevant: organising and authorising various Central and State • Whilst the surveillance infrastructure is professionally agencies with the mandate to address coastal security managed by the Coast Guard, the operation of the matters under the overall command of the Indian Navy. vessels and the equipment therein are with the Some of these measures are: marine police trained by the Coast Guard. • Creation of a 1000 strong Sagar Prahari Bal with • The afloat asset base consists of sophisticated boat an initial Force level of 80 Fast Interceptor Craft and machinery such as the Twin Screw Arneson in addition to the earlier contracted 15 FICs. The Surface Piercing (ASD) Propulsion System with SPB is responsible for force protection, security of auto pilot steering, Emergency Steering Post, ‘Rolla’ naval assets and co-located vulnerable areas and Propellers and suitable reversible gear box; an vulnerable points. electronics suite that includes a navigation radar with • Under Phase 1 of the coastal security scheme - 73 console, GPS, echo sounder, satellite communication, Coastal Police Stations, 97 Check Posts, 58 Outposts VHF sets; a hull which is a single piece GRP mould, and with assets comprising 120 (12 Ton) and 84 (5 a weapons package which includes the LMGs, Ton) boats,10 inflatable boats, 153 Jeeps and 312 SLR, Carbines, Pistols and the Flares together Motor Cycles . Manpower has been provided to the with ammunition all of which require maintenance States and the Union Territories with training being and careful usage. These are highly sophisticated undertaken by the Coast Guard. A financial outlay equipment and though easy to operate requirea fair of `495 crore for non-recurring expenditure and ` amount of technical competence to even carry out day 151 crore for recurring expenditure towards fuels, to day repair and maintenance. Also, fresh inductees repairs and maintenance had also been sanctioned cannot be entrusted to lead operations and captain • A Coastal Surveillance Network has also been these boats. Therefore, unless the HR resource is implemented by the Ministry of Shipping, Road addressed, these valuable assets would soon be Transport and the Highways in coordination with non-operational. Hence, there is an undeniable need the Coast Guard, consisting of a chain of 36 radars for professional staffing of these assets. on mainland and 10 in island territories, 84 remote • The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) sites with electro-optic sensors and a comprehensive in its 2015 report has highlighted that the objective network chain of Automatic Identification System of securing the coastline of the State of Orissa (AIS) stations have been operationalised in the first through the establishment of the Marine Police phase. In Phase-II of the project, 38 Remote Radar Stations and sea patrolling was not achieved, despite sites, 8 Mobile Surveillance Stations, integration of the financial assistance from the Government of the 21 Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) India under the Coastal Security Scheme (CSS). In sites of the Gulf of Kutch and the Gulf of Khambhat a meeting on coastal security chaired by the Union

32 December 2016 dsalert.org @dsalert Home Minister Rajnath Singh, it was suggested population, the NSS and the NCC cadets of each that since marine policing was a ‘specialised job’, a coastal district and organised under the guidance of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) may be raised for Indian Navy, could be involved in multiple ways in patrolling coastal waters and other related duties. nation building including: The proposal was supported by some other coastal a. Skill India which would impart basic nautical, States or the Union Territories and the Union Home technical and security skills to these volunteer Minister agreed to examine it. The February 2014 youth of the coastal districts for dealing with coastal report on the CSS had also recommended the security and emergencies. raising of a Marine India Reserve Battalion (MIRB). b. Start Up India by which workshops and services required to maintain the assets of the Territorial PM’s “Blue Economy” Navy could be undertaken by local youth of the The Prime Minister’s address during the International coastal districts Fleet Review (IFR) highlights the importance of the c. Promote a well-directed Swachh Bharat Abhiyan development of the coastal regions and districts. Prime by disciplined and trained youth to address and Minister Modi stated that ‘An important part of India’s educate people on coastal pollution and protection transformation is my vision of “Blue Economy” in its of mangroves. widest sense. The Blue Chakra or the wheel in our National d. Promote federalism and coordination between the Flag represents the potential of the Blue Economy. An Centre and the State through a Navy sponsored IT essential part of this pursuit is the development of India’s network as part of the Digital India programme for coastal and island territories but not just for tourism. better coastal management with the Territorial Navy We want to build new pillars of economic activity in providing the ‘on ground’ interface. the coastal areas and in linked hinterlands through sustainable tapping of oceanic resources. Strengthening Proposal our marine research, development of eco-friendly marine It is proposed that the coastal security assets owned industrial and technology base, and fisheries are other by various agencies are operated and maintained by elements of our goal. In this endeavour, I see the youth in the Territorial Navy organised on the same lines as the the coastal areas as our true assets. They have a natural Territorial Army as a low cost ‘all volunteer’ professionally and deep understanding of the Oceans. They could lead trained force that could augment the State marine forces the way in the development of blue economy in India. In in the task of nation building. partnership with all the coastal States of India, I want This concept note seeks to provide broad inputs for the to shape a special programme of skilling India’s youth in formation of a Territorial Navy which would supplement the coastal areas of the country.’ the Navy and the Coast Guard and augment the State These suggestions and ideas can be met by creating forces on coastal security and maritime safety matters a professional yet voluntary, temporal but also readily such as during shipwrecks, derelicts, protection and deployable special programme that could come about preservation of mangroves, natural disasters such as by the creation of a Territorial Navy. Such a Territorial cyclones or floods as was seen during the recent Navy which would draw upon the youth of the coastal floods and earlierHudhud cyclone in etc.

December 2016 Defence AND security alert 33 troubled waters ENERGISING COASTAL SECURITY

• Ocean Sciences • Environment Budget: The Budget for the Territorial Navy would be part of the Demand for Grants under the Indian Navy’s budget projection. Therefore, all capital assets would be acquired only by the agency responsible for coastal security and the Territorial Navy would only be funded from revenue allocations. The Top Level Budget Holder would be the MoD and the High Level Budget Holder would be the Indian Navy. Personnel: The total personnel requirements for the Territorial Navy would require about 8000-10,000 personnel and this may grow depending upon the success of the program. As a base line formulation, personnel would be drawn from the retirees of the Coast Guard, Navy and the BSF (Water Wing) as the permanent staff and volunteers As a concept the following is proposed: from the NCC, NSS and the retired service personnel forming Nomenclature: It is proposed that the force be named the ‘on call’ temporary establishment. The Permanent Cadre as the Territorial Navy (TN). would not exceed 5-7% of the sanctioned strength and the Authority: The TN would draw its authority from the balance would be volunteers and reserves. Territorial Navy Act to be framed along the lines of the existing Territorial Army Act (1948) and the Territorial Army Rules (1949) by suitable amendment promulgated and passed as an Act of Parliament. Low cost professionally trained Guidance: In the formal structuring of the Territorial reserve force for meeting peacetime Navy guidance would be included from Navy Act (1950), MZI Act (1976) and the Coast Guard Act (1978). and wartime contingencies Role: The Territorial Navy would be assigned the following roles central to coastal security and safety of the coastal Rank and Structure: populations of India. As applicable to the Territorial Army, the Rank and the Structure of the Territorial Navy would be on the same During War: lines of the Navy. • Add to the national effort of prevention of coastal • Induction: Personnel would be mainly drawn from infiltration by enemy agents the IN and the ICG, the Marine Police and the BSF • Conduct Examination Service (Water Wing) retirees. Essentially, the last six • Man static formations of the Coast Guard and the Navy months (demobilisation period) of retirees from the on the same lines as the TA does for the Indian Army Indian Navy and the Coast Guard would be assigned to man the Territorial Navy billets across the coastal During Peace: districts preferably in the home State of the retirees. • Supplement the Sagar Prahari Bal in coastal During this time, they would man, maintain and security duties. train the ‘volunteer force’. In times of emergencies • Augment the capacity of the and calamities, this volunteer component would for maritime safety and coastal surveillance duties. be recalled to serve the Territorial Navy on as • Complement the State forces and marine police required and localised basis for which period the forces in seaward patrol for constabulary functions. remuneration would be the equivalent amounts • Assist the State and the national disaster response paid to the Regular Navy and the Coast Guard forces in tackling coastal emergencies and floods. personnel. In addition, this volunteer force would be eligible to undertake 15 days refresher course every Organisation year for which the remuneration and allowances • Centrally controlled by the MoD for personnel would be as admissible for the Indian Navy. This induction, equipment induction and training. way the standing force of personnel would be • Operational Command vested at IHQ MoD(Navy) minimal as well as have at hand a trained and Routine Operations controlled by Area Commanders disciplined manpower available at short notice with in consultation with the State Government. minimum outgo of funds. Towards operationalising the manning the following is proposed: Inter-Ministerial Support: 4 Mandatory 6 months service in the Territorial • Home Affairs (Law and Order and Disaster Navy prior to retirement or expiry of engagement Management) in home state • Shipping derelicts and control of shipping or Port 4 Draws regular pay for the period of service in the Security) Territorial Navy • Petroleum and Natural Gas (OSVs and offshore 4 Option for permanent induction for some retirees if assets security) vacancies exist

34 December 2016 dsalert.org @dsalert There is a requirement to create mechanisms for ‘cooperative federalism’

4 Option to be enlisted as volunteer reserve requiring • Deterrence to anti-social elements and denial of a minimum of 14 days to a maximum of 60 days access to anti-national forces from the seaward route paid service per year in the Territorial Navy • Leverage existing capacity to operate and maintain 4 Power of Arrest: As under State Police Rules sophisticated coastal security assets and thus develop 4 Equipment and Arms specialised and useful maritime skills in coastal districts 4 Boats and Craft • Greater synergy between various agencies using the 4 Arms limited to the HMG and below Digital India framework for information exchange 4 Other vehicleof State Marine Police • Gainful employment for coastal populations 4 Disaster Response Equipment as per the NDMA through Start Ups policy and guidelines 4 Units and Formations Summary 4 Safety Units: Each coastal district could have 2 SAR The Indian coastline of 7516 kms has been open to units various man-made and natural threats ranging from 4 Security Units: (Counter infiltration and anti-terror terrorism to tsunamis. The Government has taken the and harbor piracy) Each coastal state could have initiative to bolster the coastal security by financing 2-4 security units in each coastal district fairly sophisticated equipment, machinery and weapons. 4 Constabulary Unit: Maintenance of maritime Law Most of this equipment, except for the Indian Navy’s and Order as may be required by the Police forces Sagar Prahari Bal, is operated by marine police and other 4 Ecological Units: Each state couldhave 2 units of agencies where the necessary training, expertise and ecological services and protection units maintenance infrastructure is missing. Creating and even 4 Disaster Management Units: These units would be duplicating these organisations would be an avoidable manned as per the norms of the NDMA expenditure. It is also worth noting that emergencies 4 State level HQs: One HQ would be created for each relating to security threats or natural disasters are few coastal state reporting to the Local Naval Commander. and far between. Hence, a large standing force would not produce the necessary economic benefits. Justification Security of the littoral and coastal security transcend • Calamities and security alerts as an outcome of war the Union, State and the Concurrent lists necessitating or disturbance of the peace or natural calamities close coordination between the Union and the State are few and far between. But during those stressful Governments, as well as a large number of stakeholders, periods of a few days or a month, a large amount including ordinary citizens who depend upon the seas of manpower is required to restore order or peace. for their livelihood. There is a requirement to create Also, coastal security Para-military forces are being mechanisms for ‘cooperative federalism’ to strengthen the equipped with sophisticated machinery, electronics coastal and the littoral security as a national imperative and weapons which requires a professional force supported by the centre through funds, professional to operate it else it would be out to ruin. To guidance and resources and executed by the state agencies. have a permanent standing force to meet these It is therefore proposed that a Territorial Navy be created requirements would be highly expensive and may on the same lines as the Territorial Army as a not be cost effective. Instead, a quasi-permanent quasi-permanent all volunteer Para-military force with professional force would provide the better option. about 90 per cent as volunteers and only 10 per cent as The benefits would include: permanent staff under the Demand for Grants of the • Low cost professionally trained reserve force for Indian Navy. The administrative control of the paramilitary meeting peacetime and wartime contingencies force would be with the Indian Navy.

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