The Indian Navy has launched the fifth edition of its pan-India coastal defence exercise, Sea Vigil-26, to assess the country’s preparedness against maritime security threats and strengthen coastal defence mechanisms. The nine-day exercise, being conducted from November 11 to 19, will cover India’s entire coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), with the Navy coordinating the exercise as the lead agency.
Sea Vigil-26 will be conducted in two phases, with the Coastal Defence and Security Readiness Evaluation (CDSRE) phase running from November 11 to 17, followed by the Sea Phase on November 18 and 19.
Conceptualised in 2018 in the aftermath of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, Sea Vigil was designed to validate and assess the coastal security measures instituted following the attacks. Its fifth edition will bring together all coastal states and Union Territories, alongside a wide spectrum of maritime stakeholders, including fishing and coastal communities.
The exercise will involve assets of the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Coastal Security Police, Customs and other maritime agencies. Its conduct is being facilitated by the Ministries of Defence, Home Affairs, Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, besides other Central government agencies and coastal administrations.
Sea Vigil-26 assumes significance from its nationwide geographical spread, extensive inter-agency participation and comprehensive objectives, providing an opportunity to evaluate coordination and operational readiness across India’s maritime security architecture.
The exercise also serves as a precursor to the Indian Navy’s biennial Theatre Level Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX). While Sea Vigil focuses on coastal defence and maritime security, TROPEX addresses operational preparedness across the wider maritime domain. Together, the two exercises are intended to cover the full spectrum of maritime security challenges, from coastal waters to operations on the high seas.
The national-level exercise will provide an apex-level assessment of India’s preparedness in maritime security and coastal defence, while identifying areas for further strengthening coordination, response mechanisms and operational readiness. Sea Vigil-26 is expected to offer a realistic evaluation of the country’s maritime and national security preparedness.
Team BharatShakti
