Skip to main content

Aircraft of the Indian Coast Guard: Guardians of the Maritime Frontier

Click to Buy these books on Indian Coast Guard -


This is one of the most commonly asked questions in the Indian Coast Guard FSB interview. Unfortunately, many candidates struggle to answer it correctly due to misinformation or a lack of awareness. Having accurate knowledge of this topic is essential for every Coast Guard aspirant.
When we talk about protecting India’s vast coastline and maritime interests, most people think of warships and patrol boats. But there's another silent guardian flying high above the sea – the aircraft of the Indian Coast Guard.
As someone who’s always been fascinated by defence forces, I’ve always admired how the Indian Coast Guard quietly does its job – saving lives, stopping illegal activities, and monitoring the vast Indian waters. Their aircraft play a huge role in all this.
The Indian Coast Guard operates a range of versatile aircraft for surveillance, search and rescue (SAR), maritime patrol, and pollution control.

1. Fixed-Wing Aircraft - Dornier Do-228:

  • Twin-turboprop aircraft.
  • Equipped with modern sensors and communication systems.
Role: Maritime surveillance, reconnaissance, SAR, pollution detection.

The Workhorse of the Sky
The Dornier Do-228 is the backbone of the ICG’s aerial surveillance. It’s a small, twin-engine aircraft but loaded with high-tech sensors, radar, and cameras. Whether it's tracking suspicious boats, spotting oil spills, or helping in search and rescue, the Dornier does it all. You’ll find these stationed across different Coast Guard air stations along the Indian coast.



2. Rotary-Wing Aircraft - Chetak Helicopters:
  • Light utility helicopters.
  • Operated from Coast Guard ships and land bases.
Role: Search and Rescue, utility transport, limited maritime patrol.

These may look old-school, but the Chetaks have been serving the Coast Guard faithfully for years. They’re used for rescue operations, quick medical evacuations, and sometimes for dropping supplies to ships at sea. You’ve probably seen one landing on a moving ship – that’s real skill!

3. Rotary-Wing Aircraft - Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) – Dhruv:

  • Indigenous helicopter by HAL.
  • Features: Glass cockpit, multi-role capability.

Role: Maritime surveillance, casualty evacuation, logistics.

The Advanced Light Helicopter (Dhruv), designed by HAL, is now a big part of the Coast Guard’s air wing. The new Mk III versions are specially modified for maritime duties. From search and rescue to patrolling coastal areas, these helicopters are fast, reliable, and completely desi.


Upcoming and Modernization Plans

The Future – Modernizing the Fleet

The Indian Coast Guard is stepping up. More advanced aircraft are being added, including upgraded Dorniers and multi-mission helicopters. In the coming years, we’ll also see long-range maritime surveillance aircraft being inducted.

  1. Induction of newer variants of ALH Mk III.
  2. Acquisition of Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft (MMMA) planned.
  3. Integration of state-of-the-art sensors and communication systems.

Real-Life Heroes
It’s not just about hardware. Coast Guard pilots and crew have saved countless lives – from fishermen caught in cyclones to passengers on sinking boats. During natural disasters like cyclones or tsunamis, these aircraft are the first to reach remote or flooded areas.


Why This Matters
Our oceans are busy – from trade routes to illegal fishing to potential threats. Aircraft give the Indian Coast Guard a bird’s-eye view to keep things under control. Without them, India’s 7,500+ km coastline would be vulnerable.

Join Our Telegram Channel 'Delta SSB' for daily updates

Final Thoughts
I believe the aircraft of the Indian Coast Guard are true heroes in the sky – quietly working round the clock to keep our seas safe. Whether you’re into defence or just proud of India’s capabilities, this is something to admire.

"I pray that each and every one of you reading this article gets recommended and serves this nation with pride. Your hard work will lead you to success."

Jai Hind, future leader

Join Our Telegram Channel 'Delta SSB' for daily updates 



Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Daily Routine For preperation of SSB/AFSB

To prepare for SSB daily , you need a balanced routine that focuses on physical fitness, mental resilience, and personality development . Here’s a structured daily plan that will help you develop Officer-Like Qualities (OLQs): Morning Routine (5:00 AM - 7:00 AM) – Physical Fitness Running (5-7 km) → Improves stamina for GTO tasks and obstacle course . Bodyweight Exercises : Push-ups (50–100) Pull-ups (10–15) Sit-ups (50–100) Squats (50–100) Obstacle Training (if possible) → Practice jumping, climbing, and crawling techniques. Stretching & Flexibility Exercises After Breakfast (8:00 AM - 10:00 AM) – General Awareness & Communication Read the newspaper (The Hindu, The Indian Express) – Focus on Defense, National, and International News . Make Notes of important topics and revise them regularly. Practice Public Speaking : Discuss current affairs for 5-10 minutes . Record yourself speaking and analyze your voice, tone, and confiden...
Post a Comment
Read more

Conference Out ! What to do now ?

Getting conferenced out in an SSB (Services Selection Board) interview can be disappointing, but it’s important to stay positive and plan your next steps wisely. Here’s what you should do:  Join our telegram channel 'Delta SSB' for daily updates 1. Self-Analysis & Improvement Reflect on Your Performance – Think about where you might have lacked, whether in psychological tests, GTO tasks, or personal interviews. Seek Feedback – If possible, discuss your experience with someone who has cleared the SSB or an experienced mentor. Work on Weak Areas – Improve your communication skills, officer-like qualities (OLQs), and overall personality. 2. Improve Physical Fitness If you plan to reattempt, continue physical training to improve endurance and stamina. Your current goal of running 1600m under 6.5 minutes aligns well with SSB standards. Join our telegram channel 'Delta SSB' for daily updates 3. Enhance Knowledge & Awareness Stay updated wit...
Post a Comment
Read more

History Of Indian Coast Guard

Laying the Keel (1977-78) Join Our Telegram Channel 'Delta SSB' for daily updates Ever since the 1960's, the Indian Navy had been requesting the Government of India for setting up an auxiliary service for Maritime Law Enforcement and undertaking "Safety and Protection" tasks in Indian waters. Deployment of sophisticated and high-value naval warships and assets was clearly not an optimal alternative for these tasks. In due course, this logic of the Navy was accepted by the Government, especially due to the fact that by the early 1970's, three other important factors contributed to the rationale for the early institution of a 'Coast Guard' service. Sea-borne smuggling across the seas was rampant and threatened the nation's economy. The existing maritime agencies such as the Customs and the Fisheries Department did not have the capability to contain this large scale smuggling activity, and intercept illegeal vessels even within territorial waters. A...
Post a Comment
Read more