NEW DELHI: 38 more radar stations will be set up for coastal surveillance of the country’s over 7,500 km long coastline, the Defence Ministry said while clearing the project. Defence Minister Mr. Manohar Parrikar, who chaired the Defence Acquisition Council, gave in-principle approval for the Rs 800-crore project. Defence Ministry sources said, four mobile surveillance stations will also be set up and they will be integrated with the Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) in Gulf of Kutch and Khambatt. Ministry sources added, a total of 46 radar stations have already been set up under the first-phase of the ‘static sensor chain’ project for gap-less electronic surveillance along the coastline. Bharat Electronics Limited, Bengaluru would be the lead integrator of the crucial project, a source said. After the Mumbai terror attacks in 2008 the Government decided to significantly strengthen its coastal surveillance. A proposal to set up an integrated engine repair facility for Naval Mig-29K fighter jets at naval aircraft yard in Goa, was also cleared by the DAC.]]>
