India to deploy high-speed combat boats in Sir Creek amid Pakistan build-up

The Defence Ministry has initiated the process to procure indigenous high-speed amphibious combat boats for deployment in the Sir Creek sector, according to a News18 report.

The move could significantly boost army's surveillance and operational capabilities in one of the country's most sensitive border regions.

Notably, it comes nearly an year after Operation Sindoor, during which Pakistan attempted to target infrastructure in the Sir Creek area using drones.

According to multiple media reports, army is strengthening its presence in the sector amid intelligence inputs that Pakistan has enhanced infrastructure and troop deployments across the disputed marshland.

According to the latest report, the new amphibious boats will be capable of operating both on water and land, allowing troops to move quickly across the difficult terrain of Sir Creek and the adjoining Harami Nala.

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The boats will primarily be used for surveillance, anti-infiltration operations and rapid troop insertion in areas that are otherwise difficult to access.

Procurement under 'Buy (Indian)' category

According to the report, the procurement has been initiated under the government's 'Buy (Indian)' category, which mandates a minimum of 60 per cent indigenous content. This comes as the government has repeatedly emphasised on the need to achieve self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

The Defence Ministry has already issued the Request for Proposal (RFP), with the successful vendor expected to complete deliveries within 24 months of the contract being awarded.

According to the report, the Ministry plans to procure 11 amphibious combat boats. While a few will be allocated to the Indian Navy, the majority will be inducted by the Indian Army for operations in the creek sector.

Designed for operations on land and water

The rigid-hull amphibious boats are designed to function seamlessly in both aquatic and marshy environments. Using a hydraulically operated amphibious drive system with retractable all-wheel-drive legs, the platforms can transition from water to land without requiring separate transport.

Each boat will be capable of carrying at least 12 fully combat-equipped personnel, including a two-member crew, with a payload capacity of around 1,560 kg.

The boats are expected to achieve speeds of more than 40 knots on water and around 10-15 kmph on land. They will also be able to negotiate slopes of up to 15 degrees, making them suitable for the challenging terrain of the creek region.

To support rapid deployment across different theatres, the boats will be transportable by heavy tank transporters as well as Indian Air Force IL-76 and C-17 strategic transport aircraft.

Advanced surveillance and combat features

The new platforms will be equipped with a range of modern navigation, surveillance and communication systems to improve operational effectiveness.

According to the specifications, the boats will feature electro-optical and infrared surveillance systems, radar, GPS, Automatic Identification System (AIS), gyro compass and integrated communication equipment.

They will also have protected storage for ammunition and grenades along with shock-mitigating seats to improve troop safety during high-speed operations.

The boats will include ballistic protection and weapon mounting points at both the front and rear, enabling troops to engage hostile targets while operating in sensitive border areas.

Why Sir Creek remains strategically important

The 96-km Sir Creek is one of the unresolved maritime boundary disputes between India and Pakistan.

The unresolved dispute has also delayed the demarcation of the adjoining maritime boundary and the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs).

The marshlands surrounding Sir Creek and Harami Nala have long been vulnerable to infiltration, smuggling, illegal fishing and drug trafficking due to the difficult terrain and the absence of a clearly defined boundary.

With Pakistan increasing military activity in the region and recent drone threats witnessed during Operation Sindoor, the induction of high-speed amphibious combat boats is expected to significantly enhance India's mobility, surveillance and border security capabilities.