Indian Coast Guard set to be largest force in the world: Antony

"By 2018, the Indian Coast Guard will be the biggest force among all such forces in the sector," he said after the Coast Guard Commanders' Conference.

Antony said that at present, 156 ships and boats of different sizes were being built for the force along with 12 new Dorniers and different types of helicopters.

The Minister said the force is also going to establish a chain of 46 coastal radars in the first phase by 2012.

"An important project to tighten our coastal security is the establishment of 46 chain of static sensors atop the lighthouses along our coastline. Once it is in place, it will boost our real time maritime domain awareness," he said.

The Minister said 36 such radars will be installed in the mainland and the remaining in the Andaman and Nicobar and the Lakshadweep Islands territories.