New Delhi, July 22: At a time when the defence forces are looking to expand their surveillance capabilities with the induction of large number of drones, the Defence Ministry has initiated process to buy 10 Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicles for the Indian Coast Guard to help it keep a close watch on the Indian maritime boundaries with Pakistan and other areas.

"The Ministry of Defence, Government of India, intends to procure Ten (10) Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) for use by Indian Coast Guard," the Defence Ministry said in a Request for Information issued around July 15.

The Ministry said the MALE drones are planned to be used by the Aviation Wing of the Indian Coast Guard to provide Search and Rescue (SAR) and ensure safety & security to mariners in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) spanning 200 nautical miles from the coastline and the Indian Search and Rescue Region (ISRR), which in some areas extends up to 1000 nautical miles from the coastline.

The Defence Ministry is already processing a mega Rs 32,000 crore project to buy 87 MALE drones for the Indian Air Force, Army and Navy, in which major Indian companies including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Adani Defence, Solar Industries, Raphe Mfibr and Larsen and Toubro are competing.

The Indian Coast Guard uses Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft and choppers till now and this would be the first time that the force would be using large-size drones for surveillance and search and rescue operations.

The Indian Coast Guard is looking to acquire these drones due to growing requirement for surveillance and reconnaissance beyond line of Sight (BLOS). SATCOM-enabled MALE UAVs can be utilised to undertake persistent surveillance and coverage along the entire length of our borders, including the maritime boundaries.

The Coast Guard has given time to the prospective bidders to submit their bids by October 7.

The Coast Guard has played an important role in keeping an eye on the maritime boundaries with Pakistan in the Gujarat sector and also keeps a check on the illegal activities along the eastern seaboard and the island territories in Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep. (ANI)