Indian Navy to Launch Fifth Sea Vigil Exercise on November 11, Covering Entire Coastline and EEZ

The Indian Navy on November 11 launched the fifth edition of Exercise Sea Vigil, a nationwide coastal security exercise aimed at assessing India's maritime defence preparedness. The nine-day exercise, scheduled to continue until November 19, will cover the country's entire coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), bringing together multiple maritime security agencies, central ministries and coastal stakeholders.

The exercise is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of India's coastal security arrangements, strengthen coordination among participating agencies and identify potential gaps in maritime surveillance and defence mechanisms. All coastal states and Union Territories are participating in the exercise, along with the Indian Coast Guard, Coastal Security Police, Customs authorities and other organisations involved in maritime security. Fishing communities and local coastal stakeholders are also part of the initiative.

According to the exercise schedule, Sea Vigil-26 will be conducted in two phases. The first phase, covering November 11 to 17, will focus on the Coastal Defence and Security Readiness Evaluation (CDSRE). It will assess the preparedness of agencies responsible for protecting India's coastline and maritime infrastructure.

The second phase, scheduled for November 18 and 19, will involve operations at sea to examine the operational readiness and coordination capabilities of participating agencies. The Indian Navy is coordinating the exercise as the lead maritime security agency. Several Union ministries, including Defence, Home Affairs, Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, are also involved.

Sea Vigil was conceptualised in 2018 following the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, which exposed vulnerabilities in India's coastal security framework. The attacks highlighted the need for stronger maritime surveillance, improved intelligence sharing and closer coordination between central and state-level security agencies.

Since its introduction, the exercise has developed into a nationwide assessment of India's coastal defence arrangements. Its fifth edition aims to further strengthen the country's ability to detect and respond to potential maritime threats. The participation of fishing communities is another important component of the exercise. Fishermen operating in coastal waters can help security agencies identify suspicious vessels and unusual maritime activities, making them an important part of India's coastal surveillance network.

Sea Vigil-26 will also serve as a precursor to the Indian Navy's biennial Theatre Level Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX), which evaluates the Navy's overall operational preparedness across the maritime domain. The exercise comes amid India's continued focus on safeguarding its maritime interests, including commercial shipping routes, major ports, offshore installations and strategic infrastructure. Through the nationwide initiative, authorities aim to assess existing security mechanisms and improve coordination to ensure stronger protection of India's coastline and surrounding maritime zones.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from India TV News.