New Delhi: The Indian Navy is set to launch the fourth edition of its comprehensive Coastal Defence Exercise, Sea Vigil-24, on November 20 and 21, 2024. Expanding in scale and participation, this year’s exercise will cover India’s vast 11,098 km coastline and 2.4 million square kilometer Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), with contributions from six Ministries and 21 organizations. Notably, the exercise will also feature the involvement of officials from the National Security Council Secretariat, marking their first-time participation in evaluating India’s coastal defence readiness.
Sea Vigil was originally conceptualized in 2018 as part of India’s post-26/11 commitment to strengthen coastal security and prevent any maritime-based threats. This exercise aims to validate existing security measures and identify areas for improvement in India’s coastal defence infrastructure. Beyond security agencies, the exercise includes participation from state marine police, the Indian Coast Guard, Customs, and Fisheries departments, reinforcing multi-agency coordination across the nation.
This year, Sea Vigil-24 will feature an expanded focus on securing critical coastal assets like ports, oil rigs, Single Point Moorings, cable landing stations, and other infrastructure crucial to India’s coastal economy and national security. The Indian Army and Air Force will also participate, with an extensive deployment of ships and aircraft adding to the scale of the exercise.
Since late October, Naval Officer-in-Charges in all coastal states and Union Territories, including Lakshadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, have been conducting the Coastal Defence & Security Readiness Evaluation (CDSRE) phase, rigorously auditing coastal security measures and preparing for the upcoming exercise.
Sea Vigil-24 also aims to engage India’s coastal communities, including the fishing populace, to enhance awareness about maritime security. Students from the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and Bharat Scouts and Guides will participate, fostering a sense of responsibility and cooperation among youth and coastal residents. This aspect of the exercise underscores the Indian Navy’s commitment to cultivating an informed and vigilant coastal community.
Distinguished from routine coastal security exercises conducted by individual states and agencies, Sea Vigil is the only national-level initiative that provides a comprehensive assessment of India’s maritime defence and security capabilities. This national-scale exercise highlights India’s approach to secure its maritime boundaries, identifies both strengths and areas for improvement, and reinforces the coordinated readiness of all maritime security stakeholders.
Serving as a precursor to the Indian Navy’s biennial Theatre Level Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX), Sea Vigil-24 underscores India’s dedication to safeguarding its coastal waters through unified efforts across government agencies, the military, and civilian organizations. As one of the largest and most comprehensive exercises in India’s coastal defence strategy, Sea Vigil-24 is expected to be a critical step in further fortifying the nation’s maritime security framework and preparing it for any potential threats.