The Indian Navy’s 4th edition of the ‘Pan-India’ Coastal Defence Exercise, Sea Vigil-24, concluded on November 21, showcasing an unprecedented scale in India’s maritime security preparedness. This year’s iteration was the most expansive, involving six ministries, 21 agencies, and participation across India’s extensive coastline. Notably, officials from the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) joined the Indian Navy-led Coastal Defence and Security Readiness Evaluation (CDSRE) teams, marking a significant step in integrating high-level policy oversight with on-ground maritime operations.
The exercise brought together a robust array of stakeholders, including personnel from the Indian Coast Guard, state marine police, customs, fisheries departments, and other critical agencies. It emphasized the security of vital coastal assets such as ports, oil rigs, cable landing points, and single-point moorings. For the first time, the scale of the exercise was bolstered by participation from the Indian Army and Air Force, enhancing inter-service synergy through the deployment of a large contingent of ships and aircraft.
Genesis and Need for Sea Vigil
The origins of Sea Vigil lie in the wake of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, which exposed glaring vulnerabilities in India’s coastal defence. The attacks carried out via sea routes, underscored the fragmented state of maritime governance, with overlapping jurisdictions among central and state agencies. Recognizing this, the Indian Navy spearheaded reforms under the then Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Sureesh Mehta, to consolidate maritime security mechanisms under a unified framework. It led to the establishment of the Commander-in-Chief, Coastal Defence structure, a position dual-hatted by the three Naval Flag Officers Commanding-in-Chiefs at Kochi, Mumbai and Visakhapatnam, respectively, integrating agencies under a single leadership umbrella.
Further, the creation of the Sagar Prahari Bal, tasked with near-shore monitoring, and the deployment of advanced systems like the National Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence Network (NC3IN) were pivotal in closing surveillance gaps along India’s 11,098 km coastline and 2.4 million sq. km Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
A Comprehensive Security Framework
Sea Vigil has evolved into a cornerstone exercise, engaging the fishing community, coastal residents, and youth organizations like the NCC and Bharat Scouts and Guides to foster grassroots awareness about maritime threats. The initiative builds on a multi-layered security approach that includes:
- Enhanced Surveillance: Integrating inputs from coastal radars, Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), and satellite tracking.
- Coordination Mechanisms: Bridging central ministries, state governments, and multiple agencies to ensure seamless information sharing.
- Community Engagement: Sensitizing coastal communities through interaction programs led by the Navy and Coast Guard.
Challenges in Maritime Security
Securing maritime borders presents unique challenges. The open nature of the seas, unlike well-defined land or air boundaries, creates a “grey zone” of operations. Identifying a hostile vessel amid heavy mercantile traffic and fishing activities resembles finding a needle in a haystack. Furthermore, the multiplicity of agencies—ranging from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to state-controlled fisheries departments—adds layers of complexity.
The lessons from 26/11 spurred efforts to overcome these hurdles through initiatives such as fast interceptor boats for marine police, biometric identification for fishermen, and data integration under the National Maritime Domain Awareness (NMDA) framework, approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security in 2022.
Sea Vigil: A Testing Ground for Preparedness
First launched in 2019, the biennial Sea Vigil exercise complements the Navy’s Theatre-level Operational Exercise (TROPEX) by simulating coastal and offshore infrastructure threats. The scenarios, meticulously crafted by naval planners, test national-level preparedness across both seaboards and island territories. This year’s Sea Vigil focused on refining information-sharing protocols and enhancing interoperability, especially in light of the NMDA project.
Lessons and the Road Ahead
The success of India’s coastal security apparatus is evident in the country’s maintenance of secure maritime borders over the past 15 years despite persistent threats. The NC3IN and IMAC (Information Management and Analysis Centre) networks have proven invaluable in creating a seamless surveillance system.
Looking forward, the following areas demand continued focus:
- Integration of Maritime Data: Operationalizing the NMDA network to provide a unified maritime situational awareness platform.
- Technological Countermeasures: Addressing emerging threats, including unmanned surface and underwater systems that could disrupt offshore installations.
- Centralized Maritime Operations Centres: Establishing joint command centres manned by experts from various agencies to analyze and act on real-time maritime intelligence.
- Standardized Protocols: Developing cohesive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for national and state-level responses to maritime threats.
- Enhanced Training and Engagement: Leveraging exercises like Sea Vigil to build trust and interoperability among stakeholders while keeping coastal communities at the centre of the security framework.
Sea Vigil-24 exemplifies India’s progress in fortifying its maritime security post-26/11. However, the journey toward an invincible coastal defence mechanism is ongoing. The Navy’s proactive leadership and multi-stakeholder commitment will ensure that India’s coastal security remains robust and adaptive in an increasingly complex maritime environment. The success of Sea Vigil lies not just in its execution but in the shared ownership of India’s maritime security by all stakeholders, transcending parochial interests to safeguard national sovereignty.
Ravi Shankar
