In a bid to expedite the construction of naval vessels required for the country's coastal security, the Indian Coast Guard has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the private sector firm Hindalco for the supply of indigenous marine-grade aluminum.
"The ICG fleet is presently operating 67 ships with aluminium hull with capability of operating in shallow waters. To further boost coastal security, it has planned to induct more such vessels where the indigenously manufactured marine-grade aluminium will be utilised," the Indian Coast Guard said in a statement on Friday.
Among other benefits India's maritime border guarding agency will receive because of the signing of the MoU are "quarterly pricing, priority in supplies and Turnover discount."
Recently, incidents of smuggling of drugs have increased in Indian waters, with the ICG recovering over 173 kg of banned substances from smugglers in the Arabian Sea in the first four months of 2024.
In April, the maritime security agency confiscated drugs worth $72 million off the Gujarat coast, arresting 14 Pakistani nationals in an operation conducted jointly with the Gujarat Police.
To tackle its expanding maritime security role, the Indian Coast Guard is now eying newer ships, and this process is expected to get a big boost with the signing of the agreement with local aluminum manufacturer Hindalco, the metal's largest recycler in the world.