The Indian Coast Guard is procuring 40 ships of different types for its fleet to tackle any attempt of terror in the eastern and western sea waters. A Coast Guard official told reporters in New Delhi today ,global tenders for procuring six Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), 14 Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) and 20 interceptor boats has already been initiated .The vessels, officials said, would be used to protect India's offshore assets such as oil rigs and fishing trawlers along with launching operations against narcotics smugglers and search and rescue missions.<br/><br/>AIR correspondent reports, Post 26/11, the Government approved a massive expansion plan for the Coast Guard. The country's 7,500 km long coastline touches nine states and four Union territories and is dotted with 12 major and 180 minor ports. Terrorists had used the sea route to enter Mumbai on November 26, 2008 for carrying out attacks on multiple targets in which over 166 people were killed. Setting up of 227 Coastal Police Stations is also being planned in two phases. <br/><br/>Coast Guard Chief Vice Admiral Anil Chopra had said the force levels and the manpower in the force will increase by double in next few years and triple in the next decade. The Cabinet Committee on Security had sanctioned the 40 ships, 20 boats and 42 aircraft in February last year and later accepted the need for another seven Offshore Patrol vessels, 20 Fast patrol vessels and 12 Dornier aircraft.<br/>