By our special correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji (SP)
 
Panaji, Jan 22:  Union defence minister A K Anthony today impressed on the need for the country to augment its fleet and manpower in defence strategies like the Indian Coast Guard, because of the increased threat perception through sea routes.
 
The defence minister, who was in Goa to commission an advanced offshore patrol vessel and lay foundation stone for the modernization of Goa Shipyard Limited, said that the government has decided to modernize the country's  armed forces and the Coast Guard as quickly as possible because of the fact that  India is surrounded by so many elements that have developed enmity with the country..
 
"Our armed forces are compelled to  be in a  state of preparedness always," he said.
 
Union minister of state for defence procurement Rao Inderjit Singh, officials from the  Indian Navy, Coast Guard and local administration were  present for the function held in the  port town of Vasco on Wednesday January 21..
 
Anthony who addressed two different gatherings at two different locations, said that the recent events (Mumbai attack)  have awaked the country to the need to be more careful in for the looming threats from sea front.. "Indian can not allow  another tragedy to occur through  the sea route. . In the past we have neglected the sea routes but  now we have learnt that we cannot ignore them," the minister said.
 
He said that the coastal security is most important and all the agencies busy in securing the coast will get requirement equipments.
 
The minister in his speech conceded that whatever available resources with the defence forces are not enough to man our vast coastline. "We know what we have is not enough. This is less than 30 per cent of the capability we require," he said declaring the modernization plans.
 
Anthony said that in the coming years, India will have to live with challenges from all around. "All of us will have to rise to the occasion," he added.
 
Anthony said that the government was looking  for active participation of the private sector in manufacturing a whole range of defence equipment, if the Indian armed forces were to be modernized and better armed within a short span of time.

"Our procedure for defence procurement is time consuming. Apart from our shipyards (PSUs), the private sector should also start production of defence related products," Anothony said, adding that the new Defence Procurement Policy 2008 had a definite thrust towards private sector participation.

The Union minister of state for defence procurement Rao Inderjit Singh said that India because of its strategic location is subjected to lot of insecurity.
 
He said that the country needs to do everything within its command to ensure that another  26/11 does not happen  in the country.