Rajendra Singh takes over as new Coast Guard chief

New Delhi: Rajendra Singh today assumed charge as the Director General of Indian Coast Guard, succeeding Vice-Admiral H C S Bisht who has been appointed as the Flag Officer Commanding in Chief of the Indian Navy`s Eastern Command.

He is the first Coast Guard additional director general and the first non-Indian Navy officer to be appointed as director general with three-star rank.

Till now, the Coast Guard Director General`s post was held by commissioned Indian Navy officers with two-star rank.Singh`s appointment comes at a time when plans are underway to make the Coast Guard a 200-ship and 100-aircraft force by 2018 to plug operational gaps in coastal security.

The Coast Guard currently has 135 ships.