Hans News Service Visakhapatnam

Thefifth edition of the Pan-India Coastal Defence Exercise ‘Sea Vigil-26’ is being carried out from November 11 to 19, coordinated by the Indian Navy as the lead agency. The exercise will be conducted in two phases. The Coastal Defence and Security Readiness valuation (CDSRE) phase from November 11 to 17, followed by the sea phase on November 18 and 19.

Conceptualised in 2018 to validate measures instituted to strengthen maritime security following the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, the Sea Vigil exercise is significant in terms of its geographical spread, the number of participating agencies and units, and the range of its objectives. The ‘Sea Vigil-26’ will span the entire coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone of India, involving all Coastal States and Union Territories, along with other maritime stakeholders, including the fishing and coastal communities. Assets of the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, coastal security police, customs and other maritime agencies will participate. The conduct of the exercise is also being facilitated by the Ministries of Defence; Home Affairs; Ports, Shipping and Waterways; Petroleum and Natural Gas; and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, together with other agencies of the Centre and Coastal states and Union Territories.

Sea Vigil is also a build-up to the Indian Navy’s biennial Theatre Level Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX). Together, Sea Vigil and TROPEX address the entire spectrum of maritime security challenges, from coastal defence to operations on the high seas. The conduct of exercise at the national-level provides an opportunity, at the apex level, to assess the nation’s preparedness towards Maritime Security and Coastal Defence.