KOCHI: The Indian Navy will commence the three-week training of the first batch of 1,000 personnel of the ‘Sagar Prahari Bal’ (SPB), a specialised force for coastal security, at INS Dronacharya, Southern Naval Command, in Kochi on January 11.
Addressing the media in connection with Navy Day celebrations onboard the INS Krishna on Thursday, Vice Admiral K N Sushil, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, said the force would be equipped with interceptor crafts and small arms. The Cabinet Committee on security has already approved the Sagar Prahari Bal, he added.
The SPB will have personnel under 25 years. The first week will focus on small arms training, second week on navigation training, including basic chart work and consolidation training in the third week, with training on the fast interceptor crafts.
In addition, there will be a one-week capsule at INS Shivaji where they will be trained in machinery and various aspects of engineering. The SPB, designed as an additional force for coastal security, can be employed for anti-terrorism and antipiracy operations.
The Vice-Admiral said the Navy was coordinating with the Coast Guard and state security agencies considering the additional responsibility of coastal defence in the state.
The Navy, along with other security agencies, will carry out another coastal security exercise sometime in April 2010, he said.
Rear Admiral H C S Bisht, Flag Officer Sea Training and Rear Admiral S S Jamwal, Chief of Staff, Southern Naval Command were present.