Chennai: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday commissioned the Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Varaha in Chennai on the concluding day of his two-day visit to the city.
The vessel, which is fitted with 30mm gun and will be fitted with 12.7mm gun with FCS for enhancing the fighting efficiency of the ship, will add to Coast Guard's strength in responding to the threats of maritime terrorism, smuggling and challenges of maritime law enforcement.
The ship is also well-equipped with high speed boats, medical facilities and modern surveillance systems. It can help provide search and rescue cover to mariners in distress at sea.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that Varaha, which is designed to carry one twin-engine light helicopter and stage through of twin-engine heavy helicopter with night flying capabilities, will operate from the port of New Mangalore on the West Coast covering up to Kanyakumari and Lakshadweep.
Two days after the Army Chief said that terror camps in Pakistan were being reactivated, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said Indian security forces were fully prepared to meet the situation.
He was responding to a query on Army Chief General Bipin Rawat's statement on the reactivation of terror camps in Balakot in neighbouring Pakistan. "Don't worry our security forces are fully prepared," he said.
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