Indian Navy Embarks on Massive Coastal Defence Drill ‘Sea Vigil-24
File Photo ,credit: Indian Navy
The Indian Navy is gearing up to conduct the fourth edition of the Pan-India Coastal Defence Exercise, ‘Sea Vigil-24’, on November 20 and 21, 2024. This exercise is unprecedented in scale, with the involvement of six ministries, 21 organizations and agencies.
The Coastal Defence & Security Readiness Evaluation (CDSRE) phase has been underway since October 2024, conducted by Naval Officer-in-Charges of all coastal states and UTs, including Lakshadweep and A&N Island. For the first time, National Security Council Secretariat officials will join the Indian Navy-led CDSRE teams, alongside personnel from State Marine Police, Coast Guard, Customs, Fisheries, and more.
Key Objectives of Sea Vigil-24 are to enhance the security of coastal assets like ports, oil rigs, Single Point Moorings, Cable Landing Points, and critical coastal infrastructures,Raise awareness among coastal communities about maritime security, foster cooperation among maritime stakeholders, including fishing communities, coastal populace, and students from NCC and Bharat Scouts and Guides.
Sea Vigil-24 encompasses India’s entire 11,098 km coastline and vast Exclusive Economic Zone of 2.4 million square kilometers. This comprehensive exercise engages the complete coastal security infrastructure and all maritime stakeholders simultaneously. The Indian Army and Air Force are participating this year, with a large number of ships and aircraft deployed to enhance the exercise’s tempo.
Originally conceptualized in 2018, Sea Vigil aims to validate and enhance measures adopted to bolster Coastal Defence, post the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. As a national-level initiative, Exercise Sea Vigil provides a holistic appraisal of India’s maritime defence and security capabilities. It offers an opportunity to assess current preparedness, identify strengths and weaknesses, and enhance the nation’s overall maritime defence framework.
Sea Vigil-24 serves as a precursor to the Theatre Level Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX), conducted biennially by the Indian Navy.
