Indian Navy to Conduct Nationwide Coastal Defence Exercise 'Sea Vigil-24' from Nov 20

The Indian Navy is set to conduct a comprehensive nationwide coastal defence exercise, "Sea Vigil-24," on November 20th and 21st. This exercise, the fourth of its kind, will assess the readiness of India's coastal security apparatus and involve the participation of six ministries, 21 organizations, and various agencies.

Preparations for Sea Vigil-24 have been underway since late October, with naval officers in charge of all coastal states and Union Territories conducting the Coastal Defence and Security Readiness Evaluation (CDSRE) phase. This phase involves a thorough audit of the entire coastal defence and security infrastructure. Notably, this year's CDSRE teams will include, for the first time, officials from the National Security Council Secretariat, alongside personnel from state marine police, the Coast Guard, customs, fisheries, and other relevant agencies.

Sea Vigil-24 will focus on strengthening the security of critical coastal assets such as ports, oil rigs, single-point moorings, cable landing points, and vital infrastructure, while also considering the safety of the coastal population. The exercise will witness increased participation from the Indian Army and Indian Air Force, and a large-scale deployment of ships and aircraft, further intensifying the exercise's scope.

Conceptualized in 2018 in the wake of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, Sea Vigil aims to validate and enhance coastal defence measures. Covering the entire 11,098 km coastline and the extensive 2.4 million sq km Exclusive Economic Zone, the exercise will engage the complete coastal security infrastructure and all maritime stakeholders, including the fishing community and coastal residents.

Raising awareness about maritime security among coastal communities is another key objective of Sea Vigil-24. The exercise seeks to actively involve fishing communities, the coastal population, and students from the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and Bharat Scouts and Guides.

While individual coastal states and maritime security agencies regularly conduct coastal security exercises, Sea Vigil, coordinated by the Indian Navy, stands out as a national-level initiative. It provides a comprehensive assessment of India's maritime defence and security capabilities.

Serving as a precursor to the biennial Theatre Level Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX), also conducted by the Indian Navy, Sea Vigil-24 reinforces India's commitment to safeguarding its maritime boundaries and ensuring coordinated efforts among all stakeholders in coastal defence.