Overview

• At the 42nd Indian Coast Guard Commanders' Conference, the defence minister said modern conflict is now measured in hours and seconds due to satellites, drones and sensors.
• He urged the ICG to integrate artificial intelligence, machine-learning surveillance, drones, cyber-defence systems and automated response mechanisms to cut response times to seconds.
• Singh warned that hacking and electronic jamming are present-day threats and said terrorists and criminals are using GPS spoofing, remote-controlled boats, encrypted communications, drones and dark-web networks.
• Reaffirming an indigenous push, he noted that nearly 90% of the ICG's capital budget goes to domestic assets, with the force now at 152 vessels and 78 aircraft.
• He linked maritime security to economic security and flagged regional instability affecting the Bay of Bengal, urging geopolitical awareness alongside routine patrols as the conference runs September 28–30.