The Indian Navy is set to conduct the fourth edition of its comprehensive coastal defence exercise, known as ‘Sea Vigil-24’, on November 20 and 21. This pan-India initiative aims to assess the preparedness of coastal security measures and will engage six ministries alongside 21 organizations and agencies.
Since the end of October, naval officers responsible for each coastal state and Union Territory, including the strategically important Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, have been actively participating in the Coastal Defence and Security Readiness Evaluation (CDSRE) phase of the exercise. This crucial phase involves a detailed audit of the nation’s coastal defence and security infrastructure.
For the first time, officials from the National Security Council Secretariat will join the Indian Navy-led teams undertaking the CDSRE, a significant step towards enhancing inter-agency cooperation. The teams will also consist of personnel from various sectors, including state marine police, Coast Guard, customs, and fisheries, further broadening the exercise’s reach and effectiveness.
The focus of ‘Sea Vigil-24’ will be on reinforcing the security of vital coastal assets, such as ports, oil rigs, and critical infrastructures like single-point moorings and cable landing points. Ensuring the safety of the coastal population will also be a priority, and the exercise is designed to engage and raise awareness among local communities, including fishermen and students from organizations like the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and Bharat Scouts and Guides.
Originally launched in 2018, Sea Vigil was conceived in the wake of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks to bolster measures aimed at coastal defence. Spanning the vast 11,098 km coastline and the extensive 2.4 million square km Exclusive Economic Zone, this exercise is notable for its inclusion of all maritime stakeholders and its simultaneous engagement with members of the fishing community.
While individual coastal states and maritime security agencies conduct regular exercises, Sea Vigil stands out as a national-level initiative. It provides a comprehensive assessment of India’s maritime defence and security capabilities. This year’s exercise has been amplified by increased participation from other branches of the armed services, including the Indian Army and Indian Air Force, as well as the planned deployment of numerous ships and aircraft.
‘Sea Vigil-24’ is positioned as a precursor to the Theatre Level Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX), which takes place biennially under the auspices of the Indian Navy. The upcoming exercise is an essential aspect of reinforcing India’s dedication to safeguarding its maritime boundaries and fostering coordinated efforts among all stakeholders involved in coastal defence.
