The Indian Navy will hold its fourth edition of the “SEA VIGIL-24” coastal defence exercise

INN/New Delhi, @Infodeaofficial

The fourth iteration of the Indian Navy’s “Pan-India” Coastal Defence Exercise, “Sea Vigil-24,” is scheduled for November 20 and 21. 06 Ministries and 21 Organizations/Agencies will participate in the fourth edition of Ex Sea Vigil, which will achieve a hitherto unheard-of geographic scope and level of engagement.

Since the end of October 24, the Naval Officer-in-Charges of all coastal states and UTs (including Lakshadweep and A&N Island) have been conducting the exercise’s Coastal Defence & Security Readiness Evaluation (CDSRE) phase, which involves a comprehensive audit of all coastal defence and security infrastructure. Along with representatives from the State Marine Police, Coast Guard, Customs, Fisheries, and other agencies, National Security Council Secretariat officials will also be joining Indian Navy-led CDSRE teams for the first time this year.

Strengthening the security of coastal assets, such as ports, oil rigs, cable landing points, single point moorings, and vital coastal infrastructure, including the coastal population, will be the main goal of the exercise. The Indian Army and Air Force’s participation this year, together with the anticipated deployment of numerous ships and aircraft, has increased the exercise’s tempo.

Sea Vigil was first conceived in 2018 with the goal of validating and strengthening the steps implemented to strengthen coastal defence following the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. This extensive exercise, which covers the whole 11,098 km coastline and the expansive 2.4 million square kilometre Exclusive Economic Zone, will involve all marine stakeholders, including the fishing community and coastal residents, at the same time.

Since increasing awareness of marine security among coastal populations is one of the exercise’s goals, participation from fishing communities, coastal residents, and kids from the NCC and Bharat Scouts and Guides would increase the effort’s zeal.

Although local coastal states and marine security agencies periodically undertake coastal security exercises, the Indian Navy’s Exercise Sea Vigil stands out as a national-level endeavour that offers a comprehensive assessment of India’s maritime defence and security capabilities. The exercise provides a great chance to evaluate the readiness of all maritime security agencies at the moment, pinpoint their advantages and disadvantages, and improve the country’s entire marine defence system.

As a prelude to the Indian Navy’s biennial Theatre Level Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX), Sea Vigil-24 will be a crucial step in reaffirming India’s dedication to defending its maritime borders and guaranteeing concerted efforts from all parties involved in coastal defence.