The Indian Navy is gearing up for the fourth iteration of its comprehensive Coastal Defence Exercise, ‘Sea Vigil-24’, set to take place on November 20 and 21. This large-scale initiative aims not only to fortify maritime security protocols but also to enhance awareness among coastal communities regarding their crucial role in maintaining safety along the coast.
One of the highlights of this exercise will be the active participation of various local stakeholders, including fishing communities, residents of coastal areas, and students from the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and Bharat Scouts and Guides. Their involvement is expected to amplify the exercise’s impact, thereby fostering a stronger sense of responsibility towards maritime security.
The upcoming phase of Sea Vigil-24 will focus on evaluating the readiness of vital coastal infrastructure. This includes inspecting Marine Police Outposts, ports, lighthouses, fishing harbors, and fish landing centers. By ensuring that these assets are adequately prepared, the exercise aims to reinforce India’s commitment to a secure and resilient coastal defense framework.
While individual coastal states and maritime security agencies regularly conduct security drills, Exercise Sea Vigil is unique in its national-level approach. It serves as a comprehensive evaluation of India’s maritime security capabilities. The exercise aims to offer a thorough assessment of the current preparedness of various maritime security agencies, spotlighting their strengths and weaknesses, which ultimately contributes to enhancing the nation’s maritime defense strategy.
In preparation for the forthcoming exercise, personnel from the Naval Officer-in-Charge (Odisha) have initiated a series of Community Interaction Programs (CIPs). These programs aim to bridge the gap between the Navy and local populations, fostering cooperation and understanding regarding coastal defense efforts.
Additionally, the Coastal Defence and Security Readiness Evaluation (CDSRE)—a precursor to the Sea Vigil exercise—has already been underway. This evaluation involved collaborative efforts among the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Marine Police, Customs, and other regional agencies tasked with coastal security across Odisha’s six coastal districts.
This year’s exercise is notable for its inclusive format, involving not just the Navy but also other branches of the Indian Armed Forces, including the Army and Air Force, alongside an expanded deployment of ships and aircraft. This multi-service cooperation is expected to elevate the operational tempo of the exercise to new heights.
With its extensive reach, Sea Vigil-24 will cover India’s sprawling 11,098 km coastline and its 2.4 million square km exclusive economic zone, involving six ministries and 21 agencies. Originally devised in 2018 as a response to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, Sea Vigil was envisioned to evaluate and reinforce measures aimed at enhancing coastal defense.
By engaging all stakeholders from the fishing community to regional maritime authorities, the exercise seeks to ensure that every member of society plays a role in coastal security. As a precursor to the Theatre Level Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX), which is held biennially by the Indian Navy, Sea Vigil-24 is poised to be instrumental in bolstering India’s commitment to safeguarding its maritime borders and ensuring coordinated defense efforts among all involved parties.
The Coastal Defence and Security Readiness Evaluation phase has been ongoing since October 24 and has seen naval officers in charge of all coastal states and Union Territories—including Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands—conducting a meticulous audit of existing coastal defense and security infrastructures. This thorough scrutiny is expected to yield valuable insights into the nation’s preparedness and resilience in the face of evolving maritime challenges.
